New-York style attraction set to open in UK city with ‘sky park’ gardens

AN attraction just like one in New York could soon open in a major UK city.

Birmingham could get it’s own High Line experience like the one in the US city.

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The New York attraction first opened in 2009, making use of a former train line.

It was transformed into a public attraction with gardens, artworks and walking trails.

And a similar one could open in Digbeth, making use of the disused Duddeston Viaduct.

Built 170 years ago, it had hoped to operate as a train line but track was never built.

The new plane would include the creation of two new bridges, forming a “linear sky park”.

Pedestrian walkways, play equipment, viewing platform and benches would be part of the attraction.

It would stretch from Adderley Street to Montague Street, alongside the Grand Union Canal.

A council report says: “The reinvention of the viaduct as a park for public access has been a driving factor from the first inception of the current proposals.

“There is an opportunity to create a vibrant public space that would be of benefit not only to the existing business and residential community but to the rest of the city centre, wider Birmingham and the West Midlands.”

Inspired by the buildings around, it also hopes to create a “new and exciting townscape” in Birmingham.

Manchester already has it’s own attraction like the New York’s High Line. 

The Castlefield Viaduct line which reopened last year transformed the 1862 viaduct outdoor space.

Created by the same engineers behind the Blackpool Tower, it is owned by National Trust.

Dubbed a green “sky garden” visitors can walk down the 330-metre garden.

What is the New York High Line like?

The High Line is an elevated park built on an old railway track, owned by the City of New York

The first part opened in 2009, and was completed in 2014.

Stretching 1.5 miles long, it is free to visit.

Along the way are pathways with greenery and art to explore.

It is also worth visiting at sunset for amazing views of the city.

Plans to extend the High Line were announced back in 2021.

Birkenhead in Wirral could also get a New York style park as part of a £51million town renovation.

An abandoned railway line could be turned into a £15million park also like the High Line.

Said to be one of the oldest stretches of track in the world, it closed in the 1990s but could become a a “world class” park.

A city in the UK is even compared to New York, and used to film huge Hollywood blockbusters.

Liverpool’s red brick buildings and skyscrapers have been used to film everything from Captain America and Batman to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Still want to visit Birmingham? The Sun’s Hope Brotherton explains why tourists should stop overlooking the city for a staycation.

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