Exciting development news in Manchester is a weekly occurrence, but even by these high standards the latest plans for the city manage to stand out as something special.
The National Trust and Highways England, in concert with local residents, have announced plans to transform the disused Castlefield viaduct into a green oasis for Manchester. This ‘high line’ development will transform the Grade II Listed structure into an urban park for the public which will both preserve the site’s history and open it up for the future.
By creating a park and meeting place which celebrates both people and nature, the National Trust hopes the viaduct can become a stepping stone to other green spaces in the city as well as enhancing its overall cultural offer.
The new and improved viaduct will join the Science and Industry Museum and the Factory – Manchester’s new cultural centre – as a premium destination in the Castlefield area just a few minutes’ walk away from AXIS.
Duncan Laird, Head of Urban Places at the National Trust, says: “We’re delighted to be starting this project to bring new life to the viaduct, establishing its place in this vibrant area of the city. Our ambition is to give more people the opportunity to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of green, nature-rich havens on this remarkable heritage structure in the city. This feels especially important in urban areas like Manchester where there is need for more high-quality green spaces. This project will also help bring people back to the city centre and support local businesses to recover.
“We want to work closely with local partners and the community to shape plans for the viaduct and make it happen together. We have some initial ideas, but we need others to share thoughts too. We’re inviting people who live near the viaduct to join one of our free online events to find out more or fill in our online survey. These events and the feedback we gather will really help us to make sure we get this right for Manchester.”
The project is part of the National Trust’s ‘Urban Places’ programme which works to address inequalities in green space around urban areas. By giving more people the chance to enjoy green, nature-rich areas the city as a whole is improved along with people’s health and wellbeing.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says: “The Castlefield Viaduct is such an iconic part of Manchester’s heritage, so it’s 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. 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.”
Manchester is one of the UK’s most exciting cities, and projects like the Castlefield viaduct transformation only confirm that. Contact our team today to find out what else is going on in Manchester and why this is the perfect time to invest in Manchester property >>
