A major new green infrastructure project aiming to reshape Manchester over the next decade has been unveiled. CyanLines — a proposed network of over 100 miles linking parks, waterways, viaducts and public squares — was launched at Aviva Studios before an audience of more than 600 people. The initiative promises to connect the city’s best-known green and blue spaces with hidden pockets of nature, creating new walking and wheeling routes while supporting biodiversity and community activity.
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, in addition to our work to celebrate and open up our rivers and canals. We are a city with exciting, and transformational plans for the future.
“But there’s more that we can do together. CyanLines is a bold new initiative over the next decade to imagine and create over 100 miles of connected parks, green spaces and waterfronts. This is just the start of CyanLines and I urge residents, business owners, community groups and leaders to join us on this very exciting journey to truly transform our city.”
The launch revealed the first four CyanLines routes, stretching from the Irk Valley and Mayfield Park to St Peter’s Square, Whitworth Park, the Irwell and the Castlefield Viaduct. These pilot routes link established destinations such as New Islington Marina, Symphony Park and Ancoats Green with future green spaces planned at Victoria North, Holt Town and the Science Museum courtyard.
Tom Bloxham MBE CBE, CyanLines project co-founder and chair, Urban Splash and founding Chair Manchester International Festival (MIF) and Factory International said: “We started with an idea for MIF 20 years ago. With a big vision and with the whole city behind us we were able to grow and build the Manchester International Festival into this building, an asset for all of Manchester.
“Now we have the same ambition with CyanLines – we want to bring the whole city along with us, to help us plan, fund and deliver CyanLines. No idea is too big, too ambitious, too audacious or too small or too straightforward. Everyone wants more green space. Everyone wants to be able to walk to the end of Castlefield Viaduct. Everyone wants to be healthier and happier. Imagine more species and drifts of plants and wildflowers and allotments in the city centre and being able to walk one or 100 miles of continuous paths linking all our amazing spaces. Together we can make it happen!”
The project has early backing from Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Factory International and major developers including Renaker, FEC, Landsec, Bruntwood, Allied London, Property Alliance Group and Urban Splash.
The first four CyanLines routes are available on the Komoot App.
With funding secured through the National Trust, Natural England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Nature Towns and Cities programme, the next stage will focus on expanding green spaces, developing capital projects and establishing a formal delivery organisation. Further announcements are expected in the coming months as Manchester accelerates its plans to become a greener, healthier and more connected city.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “CyanLines is an incredibly exciting initiative and I am pleased to be able to support the team to help get the project moving. While we are at the start of the CyanLines journey, it is easy to see how we will draw all the other Greater Manchester boroughs in, and how CyanLines will help us deliver Greater Manchester wide projects to help improve our community’s health and well-being, as well as supporting action to tackle our changing climate.”
