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A Manchester viaduct, which has not been used for more than 50 years, could reopen next summer as a transformed urban green space with hopes it will emulate New York’s High Line as a “park in the sky”.
Trains ran on the grade II listed Castlefield Viaduct, built in 1892, to Manchester Central railway station until it closed in 1969.
The National Trust plans to open the viaduct as a temporary park next summer, as part of aproject to trial ideas and develop the long-term future of the space. The charity will be applying for planning permission in the autumn.
The plan for the temporary park is similar to the High Line, a 1.45-mile-long park created on a disused elevated rail track.
The charity says it will work with local people and organisations to transform the viaduct into a “hidden oasis sitting above [Manchester]”.
The viaduct, in the oldest part of the city, will sit alongside other venues such as the Science and Industry Museum. It will be free of charge and open to everyone, rather than just to National Trust members.
Mark Innerdale, the charity’s regional director, said: “National Trust houses, gardens and outdoor places in the north-west welcome over a million visitors every year. However, we understand that these places can be hard to reach for people who live closer to the city and access to good quality green space in urban areas is limited. The viaduct gives us an opportunity to create an accessible green space for the 50,000 residents living within a 20-minute walk of the area of Castlefield.
“As well as transforming the viaduct into a green space for people, we recognise the viaduct’s importance to Manchester’s history and the need to protect it.”
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, welcomed the plans, saying that it was “fantastic to see the National Trust’s plans for breathing new life into this landmark and I look forward to working with them to make this a reality.”
He added: “Greater Manchester’s parks and green spaces have been a lifeline over the pandemic, and we’ve all been reminded of how important access to nature is, which is why I’m committed to creating greener, more liveable communities. This project could make a big contribution to this goal – and help revitalise our city’s heritage at the same time.”
Members of the public who live close to the viaduct have been invited to find out more about the proposals and to help shape the plans at events taking place throughout June and July. Calum McGowan, the chair of Castflefield forum, said: “To be approached by the National Trust to help galvanise our community around this project is something we have run straight towards and we are thrilled to be working alongside them.”
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