Manchester is poised to get its very own New York-style High Line

Manchester is poised to get its very own New York-style High Line with a plan to turn its Grade II-listed 1892 viaduct into a £1.8 million elevated green oasis.  

The pilot project to transform the 330-metre structure is headed by the National Trust and expected to open in July.  

Manchester viaduct was built in 1892 and constructed by Heenan and Froude, the engineers who worked on the landmark Blackpool Tower.

It was used to carry heavy rail traffic in and out of the former Manchester Central railway station.  

The railway station closed in 1969 and since then, the viaduct has stood disused, with National Highways doing essential repairs and regular maintenance on it to keep it safe. 

National Trust’s pilot phase of the project will see a green space designed which will stretch halfway across the elevation of the viaduct, similar to the New York High Line.

The area will have trees, flowers and shrubs planted to soften the grey steel work of the structure and help attract wildlife. 

In the style of the High Line, National Trust also plan to feature a community events space at the viaduct. 

There will also be a welcome kiosk, cycle loops, a secret garden, boards to inform visitors about the viaduct and two compost toilets. 

It will open for 12 months from July and around 100 people will be able to visit each day and can enjoy a guided walk on the viaduct as part of the experience.  

The guided tour will also allow the public to find more out about the history and heritage of the viaduct, Manchester’s long relationship with plants and trees and also allow visitors to learn some urban gardening tips. 

New York’s High Line is a public city park like the viaduct, and is also a food and events space. 

The High Line was once a railway line but was unused for decades, like the Viaduct. By 1999, many New Yorkers labelled the space an ‘eyesore.’ 

New York Mayor at the time, Rudy Guiliani, signed a demolition order, as one of his last acts in office.

But the structure was saved by the community and operates as a public park and place for the locals.

Countries have been inspired by the success of the High Line, including Singapore, which has an urban project called Lines of Life. 

The park stretches 15 miles along an old railway line and has walking paths, climbing walls and cycle routes.  

There are similar projects around the world- including London, Chicago, Rotterdam, Los Angeles and Toronto.

They all share the same objective- to regenerate disused areas and gather the community together in green and event spaces. 

Duncan Laird, head of urban places at the National Trust, said of the Manchester viaduct project: ‘The project really has a compelling draw for people,’ 

‘They can come up here and really experience nature on the doorstep, but also learn about the heritage and history of a key bit of Manchester’, he told Place North West.

There will be a section of the viaduct left untouched to provide a sense of how nature has reclaimed the space. The viaduct will also have installations and other native planting.   

The National Trust is also hoping to speak to visitors and get their opinions in order to decide the longer term future of the viaduct.  

Hilary McGrady, the trust’s director-general, said: ‘This is a hugely significant moment in our plans for creating a unique green space to benefit the surrounding community and to bring more nature to people’s doorsteps. The project is also a fantastic way to celebrate our industrial heritage, bringing it to life for the 21st century.

 ‘The pandemic showed us the importance of our local parks and gardens, but it also highlighted significant inequalities in access to green space in urban areas like Manchester.

‘By working with others, we aim to increase access to parks and green spaces in, around, and near urban areas, so eventually everyone is in easy reach of quiet places for reflection with wide open skies.

‘We hope that ‘greening’ the viaduct will become a stepping stone to other Manchester green spaces and nearby attractions, adding to the city’s vibrant, cultural offer.’

The pilot will cost £1.8 million and has been made possible thanks to funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

There have also been public donations which will cover two thirds of the build costs.  

The National Trust will also need to raise funds to support the future of Castlefield Viaduct.