We're committing £2.4 million for phase 2 of the Castlefield Viaduct transformation

Published

10 Jul 2025

We're further supporting the National Trust’s project to turn the Grade II Victorian viaduct in Manchester into a “sky park” and bring a welcome green space to the heart of the city.

We're committing £2.4 million for phase 2 of the Castlefield Viaduct transformation

Our funding will help lay the foundations to double the park’s size, transforming the untouched half of the viaduct and turning the structure into a through route by adding additional entry and exit points.

Work to turn the Castlefield Viaduct into a floating urban park originally began in February 2022. Working alongside the National Trust and other local groups, the park was transformed into an explorative walkway surround by plants and flowers.

It was opened to the public in July 2022 with overwhelming support for it to remain a permanent fixture.

Phase 2 of the project will see the creation of winding paths, further planting of plants and the installation of the Gold medal-winning WaterAid Garden from last year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The area which will be transformed as part of the Phase 2 extension ©National Trust Images Paul Harris

Helene Rossiter, Head of the Historical Railways Estate Programme, 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.”

Funders are being urged to 'green the gap' and provide the vital support to create the new gardens on Phase 2 ©Twelve Architects

Hilary McGrady, National Trust Director-General, added:

“This funding is brilliant news for Castlefield – a hugely inspiring project to bring nature and green space to communities across Manchester. It will allow us to bring Phase 2 of this iconic sky park project to life, increasing its size and adding WaterAid’s striking Gold medal-winning garden from the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“Its popularity over the past few years demonstrates how residents and visitors to the city value access to the outdoors and experiencing nature up-close in an innovative industrial heritage setting."

A second entry and exit point will also be added to the west side of Mancunian Way via a lift and stairway, turning it into a through route for the very first-time ©Twelve Architects