Image: Artist's impression of landscaped Upper Yard. Image credit Lydia KirkPlanit
A 1km accessible walking loop and three new entrances are among plans to open up the historic railway site.
The Science and Industry Museum has submitted plans for an improved public realm, the first step towards a 1km accessible walking loop through the site and the creation of three new entrances.
The improvements will follow the repair work currently taking place across the Manchester museum at the site of the first inter-city passenger railway in the world.
The first phase of the project will see improved accessible routes, connectivity and views across the museum’s Upper Yard and 1830 Viaduct, and is expected to be completed by summer 2025 following the reopening of the Power Hall.
Entrances will be introduced from Liverpool Road, Water Street and Aviva Studios in future years. The landscaping application has been submitted to Manchester City Council as the site continues to undertake essential repair works to its New Warehouse, Gantry, 1830 Viaduct and Upper Yard areas.
The plans have been developed with the museum by Manchester-based landscape architects Planit and supported by heritage, conservation, and planning specialists including architects Buttress.

Sally MacDonald, Director of the Science and Industry Museum and recent recipient of an OBE said the project will make its outdoor spaces “as beautiful and accessible as possible, removing physical barriers and uneven surfaces” and “will interpret the history of the site in creative ways, building on the success of our existing Planting Stories garden areas.”
Anna Marohn, Principal Landscape Architect at Planit said “The train tracks will remain the centrepiece and most prominent feature of the experience, connecting-up the site and its heritage buildings for visitors. Many of the existing materials, such as cobbles, will be re-used in the new design and the whole site will see an injection of new trees and wildflowers.”