Work is set to get underway to covert a 330m steel viaduct in the Castlefield area of Manchester into a new urban sky park.
Due to open in July, the National Trust is aiming to turn the rail viaduct, built in 1892 to carry heavy rail traffic in and out of the Great Northern Warehouse, into a temporary park in the sky.
The pilot phase of this project will see a green space created to stretch halfway across the elevation of the viaduct. Trees, flowers and shrubs will be planted to help attract wildlife.
Furthermore, the scheme could eventually incorporate a traffic-free walking and cycling route between Deansgate and Cornbrook.
Made possible thanks to working in collaboration with National Highways Historical Railways Estate Team, supported by Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester, the local community, businesses and supporters the project will be open for 12 months.
The charity also aims to capture visitors’ opinions when they visit to help determine the longer term future of the Grade II listed structure.
Duncan Laird, head of urban places at the National Trust, said: “We want to share the viaduct’s story with the people of Manchester, many of whom may already have walked the cobbles underneath this mighty metal bridge, or spotted it on the Castlefield skyline, without knowing its history.
“The viaduct has stood in Manchester for over 125 years, and we want to help the city to protect it, injecting the viaduct with a new lease of life so it becomes a space people can use and be proud of.
“We’ve already had a positive response from the communities in the surrounding area – and we want to work towards being able to deliver an exciting future for the viaduct and the residents that live close by.”
Costing £1.8million, the pilot has been made possible following funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, as well as public donations which will cover two-thirds of the build costs.
