Viaduct transformed into urban sky park

The transformation of Manchester’s Castlefield Viaduct into an urban sky park will be complete next week as it opens to the public.

The giant 330-metre Grade-ii listed steel structure will be a green oasis with trees, plants and flowers.

The viaduct, built in 1892 and constructed by Heenan and Froude, the engineers behind Blackpool Tower, was used to carry heavy rail traffic in and out of the former Manchester Central railway station. The station closed in 1969 and the viaduct has since stood in disuse.

The project is part of the National Trust’s Urban Places work to increase access to nature in urban areas.