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Passengers travelling through Manchester Piccadilly are set to benefit from an exciting new garden project, bringing colour and life to the station’s entrance.
From Monday 2 March, travellers will see work underway on the approach to the North West’s busiest railway station.
The Station Sanctuary project will see the grey, underused outdoor space just outside of the station evolve into a vibrant, biodiverse garden to welcome people and wildlife.
The garden will be open to the public in spring 2026, for commuters, visitors, and city residents to enjoy amid the bustle of Piccadilly station.
The scheme has been created through an innovative partnership between Network Rail, the National Trust, Sow the City, and Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH). It has also benefited from the support of Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, alongside funding from United Utilities.
The space has been designed to offer a moment of calm and relaxation, with 40 modular rainwater planters, pillars, and seats that will be made by local community groups and volunteers.
The charity MASH offers support to women who are involved in sex work and have experienced homelessness. Through participation in the Station Sanctuary project, women have come together to co-design and co-create the garden. This initiative has inspired women to express their creativity and provides an opportunity to learn about nature and urban conservation.
Through nature-led design and pollinator-friendly planting, the garden will enhance urban biodiversity, contributing to a healthier local ecosystem. The garden will have information panels that will encourage visitors to explore the city’s other accessible green and blue spaces, as well as information on urban ecology.
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