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“We had an enormously positive response from the public, partners and all the community groups we’ve worked with. I just can’t overstate the real joy and excitement [that] comes through from our visitors”
– Nancy, National Trust, 2025.
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Address
Castlefield Viaduct. Catalan Square Duke Street, Manchester M3 4PU
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Value/Worth:
£1.8M. £1 million in funding, including £725,000 raised by People’s Postcode Lottery. Overall, donations helped to cover two-thirds of the build costs.
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Timeline
February 2022 to ongoing
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Background
This green infrastructure project has transformed a Grade II Victorian-era steel viaduct into a green ‘sky garden’ in the heart of Manchester. Initially planned as a temporary urban park open for only 12 months, the gardens gained so much popularity and success that this phase of the viaduct has now been established as a permanent green space for the public, with plans for expansion.
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Projects
Built in 1892 by the Manchester-based engineering firm Heenan & Froude, known for its work on the iconic Blackpool Tower, the viaduct was constructed during the latter part of the railway boom, carrying heavy rail traffic in and out of Manchester.
The 330-metre-long steel viaduct is situated in Castlefield, the oldest part of Manchester, which is rich in history. The viaduct was closed in 1969 and remained untouched until 2021, when Manchester City Council granted temporary planning permission. This allowed for testing various concepts and gathering public feedback. Work on the viaduct began in February 2022, with the goal of transforming the 130-year-old structure into a floating urban park all possible through unique partnerships between National Highways, the National Trust, and local community groups, including the Castlefield Forum.
After positive feedback was received, the viaduct project was extended for another two years, along with planning permission for further development and extension.
Overall, this unique project showcases the National Trust’s strategy “For Everyone, Forever,” focusing on providing people with access to nature forever. Their vision for the space is for half of the structure to become an explorative walkway, surrounded by plants and flowers, allowing visitors the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the area's history. -
Outcomes
The viaduct is owned and maintained by National Highways, which is responsible for ensuring its safety on behalf of the Department for Transport. They fund examinations, maintenance, and provide technical support to both the National Trust and Railway Paths Ltd. The outcomes of this collaboration have been highly positive. Since the viaduct opened for public use in July 2022, nearly 50,000 people have visited according to National Highways data. After gathering feedback, National Highways reported that 66% of visitors felt better after spending time in nature, 75% felt more pride in Castlefield and their city, and 70% felt better informed about the area's history following their visit.
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Learning:
The start of the construction was delayed due to the process of securing all necessary permissions and planning. Once approved, the build took approximately two months. As construction began, it was already late in the season, so the staff had to build and plant simultaneously. Initially, the project was authorised to operate as a one-year pilot, which was later extended to two years after positive feedback. Specific design challenges included ensuring access to water and water storage, providing facilities for staff and the public, and managing deliveries to the site. New safety features, such as water pumps for fire services, improved access routes, and on-site water tanks, were implemented by the National Trust. The Viaduct has now completed this initial phase and is currently in an interim period, where planning has been approved for continued operation and further development. The team is still actively fundraising for the Phase 2 build.
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Future
Plans for Phase Two include extending over the Mancunian Way and adding an additional point of access to the viaduct. This is crucial, as the team at the Viaduct are currently limited to welcoming just 50 visitors per staff member and a maximum of 100 guests at one time. The expansion will also feature more planting, including Tom Massey's WaterAid garden, along with a winding pathway to encourage leisurely strolls. The National Trust has developed the planting scheme for phase one and two into a more experimental, water-wise approach, using resilient plants in unconventional substrates such as rubble and crushed brick. The outcome will be a sustainable, site-specific showcase that is particularly suitable for an urban environment
Overall, the 'Grand Vision' entails creating a linear green walkway stretching the full 330 metre length of the structure, connecting the city centre to the Irwell River and Salford.
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