Castlefield Viaduct secures £2.75m for expansion
Phase two of the National Trust’s ‘sky walk’ will build on the first stretch of repurposed railway, extending the viaduct’s accessible length by 250 metres.
Currently, the route ends with a canopied glass walk looking out onto the untouched and overgrown phase two element of the viaduct.
Phase two will act as a continuation of the current attraction, extending winding paths through planted areas, allowing visitors to connect with nature in the heart of the city’s industrial past.
In addition, the WaterAid Garden – a gold medal-winning garden from last year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show – will feature on the extended path.
A second entry and exit point will open up the ‘sky walk’ as a through route, with a lift and stairway set to be added to the west side of Mancunian Way.
Twelve Architects has led on design, and with work due to start in autumn this year, the new section could be open to visitors by summer 2026.
The scheme will be extended by 250 metres. Credit: Twelve Architects
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said the viaduct’s transformation was “an incredible example of urban regeneration”.
She added: “We feel a deep connection to our heritage in Manchester, and the Castlefield Viaduct is a living symbol of that.
“Not only does it span the old Roman fort, which was the genesis of the Manchester we know today, but it also calls back to the era of the industrial revolution when our city’s rail network and industry were at the forefront of an expanding world.”
The scheme’s second phase has been made possible via a £2.4m fund from the National Highways Historical Railways Estate Team. Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have each supplied £100,000 toward the project, while the Railway Heritage Trust has contributed £150,000.
The National Trust is now seeking the final £500,000 in funding for greening the site, which it hopes to receive from the private sector.
Funding will be primarily used to cover the costs of the structural, access, and construction improvements applied during the phase.
Helene Rossiter, head of the Historical Railways Estate Programme at National Highways, said: “We’re delighted to continue playing a significant part in resurrecting this stunning structure.
“We’ve always shared the National Trust’s ambition to transform Castlefield Viaduct into an urban park and meeting place that connects the local community with nature and Manchester’s rich history, and we’re very excited about the future plans.
“Bringing the viaduct back to life after many decades of maintaining it and keeping it safe reinforces our commitment to repurposing structures for future use wherever possible, and it’s a privilege to help fund phase two of the project which will see the sky park extended and transformed into a stunning green through-route for everyone in the city to enjoy.”
Work starting on phase two would be a further step in the masterplan for the viaduct, which includes several entry and exit points to the viaduct and adds a walkway providing access towards Salford and Trafford.
2.75m for 250m of effectively path? seems a bit extreme. If it is a loading issue, get rid of the planters, literally have it as a path. £11,000/m seems a bit excessive. If a private enterprise wanted to do it for some reason or other, great. But if it is a lightly loaded walkway, why not some duckboards and handrails? I know some will read this and think what a moaning minnie, but, in the grand scheme of things is £11,000/m of path a good way to spend public money? For about double or treble that you could build a tunnel of the same length.
By Moaning Minnie
This should be restored as part of our railway infrastructure. Perhaps Central Station could be reopened, for fast trains into Manchester rather than a underground vanity railway at Piccadilly
By Anonymous
Incredibly exciting. I went for a gig at Castlefield Bowl recently. Has to be one of the most interesting venues in the UK and it’s smack bang in the middle of the city. Parts of Manchester really are coming along and it’s a pleasure to visit.
By Anonymous
The key to this scheme is connectivity….and the schemes around it that will benefit. Trafford and Peel must be contributing for the greater good
By Arms shorter than their pockets
Prefer the Leeds one, this one is scruffy
By Anonymous
£75,000 per metre on plants sounds alot
By Mr Greene
Absolutely brilliant news.
By Bernard Fender
Great news, I went there and thought it was lovely but there wasn’t enough of it.
By Mike
Amazing news! Would be good if they use some lights on the outside of the bridge to make it look nice and stand out more. Furthermore, would be good if it is open until late like 10pm everyday 🙂
By Anonymous
I agree with Mike.
By Elephant
Needs an urban open air swimming pool up there, maybe repurposed shipping containers.
By Frank Killeen
This is great, much needed green space in the centre of the city and it restores part of Manchester history that was literally rusting away. More of this kind of thing please!
By Paul R
Moaning Minnie – people want quality public realm that acts as a place to visit rather than walk through given quality green space is so limited in the city centre. Hope that makes sense.
By Anonymous
Moaning Minnie, on the face of it you are right but I suspect that a large part of this money is to be spent on safeguarding the structure of the viaduct. Retaining and maintaining heritage structures are expensive.
By Anonymous
I’m with Moaning Minnie.
By Anonymous
It’s not a park though is it? It’s a visitor attraction with strictly limited opening hours, access, and rules about what you can do there (no dogs or spontanious fun) when what the city centre and Castlefield still needs is actual open space or a park.
More of the same, pretty as it may be, just hoovers up more funding and energy that could be better deployed on meeting actual need rather than the National Trust’s desire to look cool and urban. And it is stonkingly expensive for what it actually delivers…
By Anonymous
Awesome! It really needs an exit at the other end. The fact you have to do an about turn is the reason I’ve not been up there an awful lot.
By Tom
It will add greatly to the city and an extra 250m means it will be a significant size now. It sounds like a lot of money but people who aren’t in the industry underestimate greatly the cost of restoration of such an old structure. Big thumbs up from me.
By Tom Thumb
It needed this. This will turn it into something special.
By Anonymous