Manchester’s new skyline park has taken a major step forward today — with its first plants being bedded in. The Castlefield Viaduct project is set to open next month.
Initially set to open on July 3, yesterday bosses confirmed that ‘unexpected delays’ meant the park would now open no later than the end of next month. However, work is still continuing at pace on the 330m former railway viaduct.
Now, just over three months on from the M.E.N.’s first visit to the site, plants are being bedded in ahead of waves of visitors. Tickets are free to the project, but limited in number due to weight restrictions on the Victorian structure, which was built by Heenan & Froude — the same firm that constructed the Blackpool Tower.
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Despite the setbacks, National Trust officials are still excited about the grand unveiling in the summer. “This is not about us taking it over, but it is about working with them to do something important for the residents — that’s to provide nature and green space on their doorstep,” Sophie Wardell, programme manager, said.
“Where the National Trust works well is projects that bring both beauty, health, and nature together. This project does that really well. We’re really keen to get people up here.”
Visitors will first be welcomed at the start of their 45-minute guided visit of the garden in an area which will shield their view of its iron trusses. From there, guests will be able to see the planting and information boards ‘in context’ of how the viaduct was originally, Sophie added.
The middle section of the garden will feature guest projects from local residents, who have curated a section of planting which reflects Castlefield in 2022. There will also be sections from the Museum and Science and Industry, which is celebrating the first passenger railway station, built just a few hundred metres away.
They will all be housed in specially-made planters that were craned in. The metallic boxes are the exact width of a railway track, are shaped in the same curve that Viaduct follows, and also feature details on track points. Visitors will be able to freely explore that portion of the garden, before coming back together at the end to the events space, where guides will ask them for feedback on how they would like to see the space used after the year-long ‘pilot park’ ends.
Although the National Trust has plenty of experience in nurturing green spaces, the Viaduct has presented some unique challenges. Weight limits mean staff have had to develop a special lightweight compost to support the greenery, according to Pam Smith, lead horticulturist on the project.
She told the Manchester Evening News : “We are responding to the quality of the plants. All these plants, until a week ago, were in nurseries. They’re now in the middle of Manchester.
“We’re planting in extremely lightweight compost because of the weight limit. It’s adapted from roof garden compost.”
When the doors do fling open — which has yet to be determined — visitors will be encouraged to arrive on public transport, Rebecca Alexander, who heads up the operational side of things, said. The park will also be fully wheelchair accessible.
She added: “We have not got a car park. We don’t have spaces in the Manchester Central car park.
“It is a good [spot for] public transport. We have the Metrolink and mainline train station nearby. There’s Liverpool Road, too, which has bus routes as well.”
Even with work well underway, Rebecca says the plan is to adapt the space for the needs of visitors. That might include designated quiet times, functions, and special visits for community groups, she added.
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