Manchester Central to get sky park

DRAMATIC plans for the rear of Manchester Central, formerly G-Mex, have been revealed that will include a new tram interchange, three glass towers and a new public park in the sky.

There will also be a new glass bridge linking Deansgate station and improved pedestrian access from the tram stop into the heart of the city.

The masterplan has been developed by Ian Simpson architects and was revealed at the MIPIM international property conference in Cannes.

A fly through presentation showed a sleek new station with three tracks taking trams out to the airport and MediaCity as well as across Manchester, and the first floor park, looking south over the city.

The plan already has the backing of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and the new station could be open by 2014 with funding likely to come from mix of public and private funding.

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Ian Simpson said: “When you are looking down you can see that right now the goods yard behind Manchester Central is little more than a turning circle and storage base and it makes a massive barrier between Castlefield.

“The brief was to open up the area and by putting a lid on this storage yard you create an area which can be used for a new public park, a sheltered enclosed tram station and a range of new buildings that can be offices, a hotel and retail.

“It is about creating a new gateway from the south which will feed people directly from the airport into Manchester Central and the heart of the city which will work alongside Piccadilly and a new and improved Victoria to give three effective interchanges.”