A bold plan to link and transform Manchester’s green and blue spaces – its squares, pocket parks, rivers, canals and viaducts is to launch next month
The 100 mile Cyan Lines 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 be 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 is supporting and co-ordinating all Cyan Lines activity while it explores the most appropriate governance and delivery options, such as a CIC or charity.
Together with project champions Tom Bloxham MBE CBE, chair, Urban Splash and Pete Swift, co-founder, Planit and Manchester City Council are shaping the vision and mapping out the Cyan Lines pilot projects which will be revealed at the launch together with announcements on new partners and supporters.
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.”
Pete Swift, landscape architect and co-founder, Planit said: “Change is happening all around us. Greater Manchester’s towns and cities are slowly turning greener, but the pace is too slow. We look to cities like Copenhagen and Paris where through intentional and focused partnerships, united behind bold visions, good change can happen quickly.
“By reclaiming our urban spaces, connecting them up and creating green vibrant life, where people and nature can thrive, we will deliver a truly incredible legacy for the city and the millions living across its ten connected boroughs.
Councillor Bev Craig, leader, Manchester City Council will be joined at the launch by Tom and Pete, Mike Innerdale, Regional Director North of England, National Trust and other Cyan Lines partners. Guests will find out how they, their business or organisation can get involved – there’s lots of ways to do so!
