Yorkshire’s first elevated urban park opens as access to historic Monk Bridge viaduct in Leeds returns after 40 years

MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind the urban quarter, has created a lift and stairs along the existing wall of the viaduct to provide public access to the formerly disused rail track on top.

A landscaped park, including pathways, seating and extensive planting, has been created by City Developments Limited on the viaduct, running from Wellington Place to The Junction waterside residential development.

The grade two-listed Monk Bridge viaduct was built around 1846 as part of the new railway network being constructed in the Wellington Street area of Leeds. It became an important part of Leeds Central Station which was completed in 1857, carrying high level lines to the station and connecting to a lifting tower which still stands on the Wellington Place development today.

The viaduct went out of use when Central Station closed in 1967, and it was partially demolished and blocked off after the 1980s.

Paul Pavia, head of development at MEPC, said: “Creating accessible and welcoming public realm has always been a vital part of the Wellington Place offer and we are thrilled to have built on this through this exciting project.”