100-mile network to connect Manchester’s green and blue spaces

Plans to link and transform Manchester and Salford’s green and blue spaces are set to launch this September.

Cyan Lines seeks to better connect the region’s squares, pocket parks, rivers, canals and viaducts. The initiative launched with a special event at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, on Wed 10 Sep.

The 100-mile network will connect existing and proposed linear parks, green corridors and traffic-free walking routes and, where needed, bridge gaps by building new connections across Manchester and Salford city centres, and link to the rest of Greater Manchester’s boroughs.

Councillor Bev Craig, leader, Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is on a mission to make our city greener, investing in new parks and green spaces including the likes of Mayfield, Ancoats Green and the Castlefield Viaduct, and our work to celebrate and open up our rivers and canals. The city has exciting plans in the long term.

“But there’s more that we can do together. Cyan Lines is an exciting new initiative over the next decade to imagine and create 100 miles of connected parks, green spaces and waterfronts.

“As well as making our city a more attractive place, Cyan Lines will bring together the private, public, charity and voluntary sectors to unlock a raft of benefits for the city, from better health and wellbeing, through to increased urban biodiversity, a boost to tourism, more walking and cycling routes and, crucially, increasing the city’s resilience in the face of the changing climate.

“This is the start of a very exciting journey and I urge residents, business owners, community groups and leaders to come along to our launch to find out more and join us on this very exciting journey to truly transform our city.”

Cyan Lines will include a series of projects which will be identified, assessed and delivered through partnerships created by bringing together businesses, public sector agencies, charity and voluntary sector organisations, community groups and individuals.

Manchester City Council says it is supporting and coordinating all Cyan Lines activity while it explores the most appropriate governance and delivery options, such as a CIC or charity.

The first four pilot Cyan Lines routes will include:

• The Irk Valley explorer: Victoria Station & NOMA to Queens Park
• From marina to new city park: Mayfield, New Islington & Ancoats Loop
• Walking the knowledge corridor: St Peter’s Square to Whitworth Park
• Romans, rivers and a park in the sky: Irwell & Castlefield Loop

Tom Bloxham, MBE CBE, chair, Urban Splash, said: “We did not have hunting grounds for kings, dukes and lords in Manchester, so we have no grand central parks, but we do have excellent green, blue and brown spaces which, if joined up will provide an amazing legacy for future generations.

“So much work has been done over the past twenty years. We’ve got Mayfield, New Islington Marina Park, Castlefield viaduct, the Canal Basin, Symphony Park, Kampus, Ancoats Green and Aviva Studios and so much more is planned – the Science Museum courtyard, the former Central Retail Park, Victoria North, Renaissance Deansgate and Holt Town to name a few.

“Our Cyan Lines network will not just connect these amazing spaces but will create opportunities for more projects and for residents, community groups, businesses and charities to get involved.”

You can find out more about Cyan Lines on the initiative’s new website here.