Plan to extend sky park along viaduct approved

Plans to continue the transformation of an overgrown Victorian viaduct into a sky park filled with landscaped gardens have been approved.

Manchester City Council has given its backing to the extension of the National Trust project along the Castlefield Viaduct.

Plants were first bedded along a section of the 125-year-old railway structure in 2022 by the organisation as part of efforts to create a green corridor in the city.

Under the second phase of the project, the remaining untouched section will be transformed as well, giving visitors full access to the entire 330 metre-long (382 yard) viaduct.

Under the scheme, new access points to the Grade II listed viaduct would be created, including stairs and a lift from Egerton Street.

Nichola Jacques, Castlefield Viaduct project manager said the approval was a "positive step towards realising our bigger plans, and those of our partners and supporters".

She said: "The viaduct gives us an opportunity to create an accessible green space for the 50,000 residents living within a 20-minute walk of the area".

The trust is in talks with potential backers about securing £3m to fund the expansion.

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