High Hopes for Derelict Railway Viaduct

Residents in Manchester have joined forces with BDP for a campaign which hopes to see the creation of a park on top of one of the city’s derelict Victorian railway viaducts.

Ideas for how the Castlefield Viaduct might be revitalised are the result of a BDP initiative which set out to identify derelict areas in Manchester suitable for green regeneration. From this BDP created visualisations and narrative, outlining how the viaduct might be transformed into an urban garden, featuring plants and shrubs, walkways, a cafe, allotments and open plazas designed for sunbathing.

Members of the Castlefield Forum hope the aspirational project will rival elevated parks in Paris and Manhattan, creating a wide range of economic and social benefits for the area.

Landscape architect and urban design associate Darrell Wilson, who is working closely with the forum on the project, said: “It’s the start of a long road and it would be amazing if the vision could be realised. It will be much more than a walkway but a multifaceted, community-owned space that creates the opportunity for residents to socialise, grow their own produce, even have barbecues in the summer – all within a beautiful and naturally designed landscape."

Commenting on the project, Castlefield Forum committee member Ali McGowan, said: “There is a long way to go and we know there is much hard work to be done. Our work now is all about gaining momentum for this project and exploring how BDP’s vision could work and how well chosen partnerships could make this project economically viable going forward.”