Coronation Street statement as new Manchester United stadium to be built beside set

Coronation Street bosses have issued a statement following the news that the new £2bn Manchester United stadium will be built right beside where they film the ITV soap. Execs are said to be 'excited' by the plans even though they could disrupt filming schedules. It comes after the proposed location for the new 100,000-seater stadium was unveiled, and it's just a stone's throw from the iconic Weatherfield cobbles. But the show's chiefs insisted that all would be fine as the football club strives to transform the Old Trafford area of Manchester, the Mirror reports. Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter A Coronation spokeswoman said that ITV had 'consulted closely' on the Trafford Regeneration Plan. "As matches and events typically occur on evenings and weekends, we expect operational impact to be minimal and we will schedule filming around any 'wildcard' events, just as we do now," she explained. "We welcome this regeneration and are excited to see two iconic British landmarks so close to each other." Coronation Street now now has five half-hour episodes a week and they are filmed at pace, with very little rehearsal, around eight weeks before they air. United's proposed new home will sit at the heart of a new Stadium District, approximately 350 metres north-west of the existing Old Trafford stadium. It will be purpose-built for sport, entertainment and year-round activity, with the new stadium aiming to serve as the flagship landmark of the wider Trafford Wharfside development. The area will also be getting 'new and improved' public transport links plus a new walking and cycling infrastructure. READ MORE: 'A Wembley of the North': Inside the groundbreaking plans for Manchester United's new 100,000 seater stadium Announcing the project, Collete Roche, CEO, New Stadium Development at Manchester United, said it should create 48,000 local jobs and 15,00 new homes and had the potential to offer a £7.3bn-per-annum boost to the UK economy. But fans were dismayed that the stadium will longer be called Old Trafford - it is not yet known what the new name will be. "The publication of the Wharfside Masterplan marks another significant milestone in our journey to create a new world-class home for Manchester United at the heart of a vibrant and transformational district for Trafford and Greater Manchester.," she said. "Together with our partners, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a destination that creates lasting benefits for supporters, local communities and the wider region for decades to come." Because it is located alongside Old Trafford, she said it would enable them to "preserve the heritage, traditions and matchday rituals that are so important to our supporters, while also providing the connectivity and infrastructure required to deliver a truly world-class fan experience".