CyanLines reveals next route on first anniversary

A defined route linking Manchester city centre to the Etihad campus and Co-op Live is being prepared, while the Bupa Foundation has made a contribution towards making phase two of Castlefield Viaduct’s overhaul a reality.

Mayor of Greater Manchester and co-chair of CyanLines Bev Craig said: “We’re on a mission to connect our green spaces with nature across Greater Manchester.

“The ambition of CyanLines to join up our green spaces, rivers and canals is a key part of our vision to create a greener, healthier and better-connected city region. It shows what we can achieve when communities, businesses and the public and voluntary sectors come together with a shared purpose.”

Phase two of Castlefield Viaduct

National Trust, a CyanLines founding partner, has led on the widely-praised transformation of the once-disused Victorian railway into an urban sky park, a project that pre-dates CyanLines’ arrival.

Phase one saw around a third of the bridge’s length reimagined and opened to the public. The plans for phase two are due to see an extension from 120m to the full 330m length of the historic structure.

Although the majority of funding is secured for the next phase, the trust is seeking a further £1.6m. An undisclosed sum has now been provided by the Bupa Foundation, through its Healthy Cities programme, which helps create greener urban spaces by improving access to nature and encouraging communities to get active.

Hilary McGrady, director-general, National Trust said: “I’m pleased the Bupa Foundation are the first significant charitable grant we’ve received towards Phase Two of Castlefield Viaduct. Bupa’s funding will help the Trust extend the sky park project in Manchester, meaning more people will experience and benefit from this green space that sits in the heart of the city.”

Last summer, hopes were high that the funding target was close to being reached, but a detailed costing review means the Trust is now looking at projected costs that leave a £1.6m funding gap. The Trust told Place: “We’re working hard to address this gap and will continue to work with partners and the local community over the next few months to raise the final amount needed.”

Phase two includes a WaterAid garden. Credit: via Ashurst Comms

CL5 – Piccadilly to the Etihad Campus loop

Plans have been in development for the 3.7-mile CL5 circular route over the past twelve months. CyanLines, Manchester City FC, Manchester City Council, Co-op Live and the Canal & River Trust have co-designed the route with community groups, young people and students from the Norman Foster Institute for Sustainable Cities through a series of design workshops and walks.

The plans for route CL5 include:

• New play parks for children.
• Spots for grown-ups to rest.
• Extensive tree planting and the addition of rain gardens, wildflower meadows and green walls
• to encourage wildlife and enhance biodiversity.
• Improved access to the Etihad and Co-op Live Arena (Joe Mercer Way) from the Ashton Canal through the installation of a wheelchair friendly alternative.
• Physical barriers along the route will be removed.
• Lighting, surfacing and wayfinding along the whole route will be completely overhauled.

Pete Bradshaw, director of sustainability at MCFC, said: “The plans for the CyanLines route add a new layer of nature rich, innovative and imaginative active travel and community experiences for fans, visitors and those living and working in the neighbourhood. Improving local ecology, biodiversity gain and creating environmental uplifts that have a positive impact across the community, supporting improved air quality and wellbeing.

The Etihad’s capacity has just been boosted by a stand expansion, while Radisson’s Medlock hotel is now open, with the Medlock Square development set to feature a covered fan park for around 6,000 people – that’s on top of the Co-op Lie’s booming events programme and offerings such as the 600-capacity Mamma Mia: The Party venue coming on stream.

The CL5 route begins at Piccadilly station and follows the Ashton Canal through New Islington and Holt Town to the Etihad Campus including Co-op Live Arena, then it loops back towards the city centre joining the existing CityLink before heading through Medlock Valley to Mayfield then back to Piccadilly.

CyanLines one year in

Tom Bloxham, co-chair of CyanLines said: “The enormous progress made in our first year, from a standing start and a simple idea, reflects the huge amount of support, collaboration and cooperation we have received from across communities, residents, businesses, charities and politicians to turn our ambitious vision into reality. If you ever wanted an example of “Manchesterism” surely this, is it – an entrepreneurial coalition of local politicians, business people and community volunteers getting stuff done at a pace.”

The four pilot CyanLines routes are the Irk Valley Explorer (Victoria and NOMA to Queens Park); the Mayfield, New Islington & Ancoats Loop; St Peter’s Square to Whitworth Park; and the Irwell & Castlefield Loop.

All four have now been audited for accessibility and CyanLines is bidding for funds for necessary improvements. The four routes have been assessed for sustainable urban drainage systems and CyanLines is working with United Utilities to develop a project to install nature based solutions on the routes.

In addition, there are now two grassroots routes in development that have been created by local communities in Newton Heath and Rusholme, while a technical feasibility study via Civic was commissioned for a floating walkway on the Irwell in the city centre.

From 4 September, a 90-metre section of Deansgate has become temporary home to 12 sweet gum trees, hexagonal beehive shaped planters, featuring recycled velodrome track and two brightly coloured bike ports in a collaboration project.