Manchester’s plans for greener, better-connected neighbourhoods have taken another step forward, with a new CyanLines route set to link Manchester Piccadilly with the Etihad Campus.

Announced as CyanLines marked its first anniversary, the new CL5 route will create a 3.7-mile circular route between Piccadilly, New Islington, Holt Town, the Etihad Campus, Mayfield and the city centre.

The route forms part of CyanLines’ wider ambition to create a 100-mile network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes across Greater Manchester, connecting the city’s green spaces, canals and neighbourhoods.

Connecting East Manchester

The route starts at Manchester Piccadilly Station, which sees around 75,000 visitors every day, it then follows Ashton Canal – a very prominent part of the city’s history – through New Islington and passing a number of heritage mills.

CL5 will then continue down the canal until it reaches Etihad Campus and Co-Op Live, providing a new, accessible, and safe route to one of the city’s most popular entertainment spots.

From there, the path will loop back towards the city centre, joining the existing CityLink before continuing through the Medlock Valley and Mayfield before returning to Piccadilly.

For residents, the route could provide a more attractive and accessible way to move between some of the city’s most rapidly changing neighbourhoods.

Holt Town in particular has become a key focus for regeneration, with major residential, commercial and infrastructure projects planned across the area. Improved connections through the neighbourhood have the potential to support this transformation further, making it easier to access both the city centre and the growing Etihad Campus on foot or by bike.

More than just a walking route

The proposals go beyond simply creating a new path.

Plans include extensive tree planting, new play areas, spaces to stop and rest, rain gardens, wildflower meadows and green walls designed to improve biodiversity and bring more nature into the route.

Lighting, surfacing and wayfinding will also be upgraded, while physical barriers will be removed to improve accessibility. A wheelchair-friendly alternative is also planned to improve access between the Ashton Canal and the Etihad Campus.

That combination of improved connectivity and better public spaces is becoming increasingly important as Manchester continues to grow.

A growing destination in East Manchester

The route arrives at a time when the Etihad Campus and surrounding area are seeing significant investment.

The Etihad Stadium has recently increased its capacity to more than 60,000, while the upcoming Medlock Square development is set to introduce a covered fan park, new entertainment space, a hotel and further food and leisure options.

Co-op Live also attracts millions of visitors each year, adding to the growing footfall across this part of the city.

For East Manchester, this means the area is becoming much more than a destination for matchdays and concerts. New homes, public spaces, transport links, leisure facilities and employment opportunities are gradually creating a more connected part of the city.

What could this mean for property?

If you’re looking to buy in Manchester soon, this is another reason to look at the East of Manchester for your investment. The new route, along with the Holt Town regeneration, growth of Etihad, and extension of the Bee Network, are adding huge value to a currently under looked part of Manchester.

Infrastructure and public realm improvements are an important part of Manchester’s wider regeneration story.

When neighbourhoods become easier to walk around, better connected to the city centre and supported by new green spaces and amenities, they can become increasingly attractive places to live.

With more regeneration planned across East Manchester, improving connectivity between the city centre, New Islington, Holt Town, Mayfield and the Etihad Campus could play an important role in shaping how the area develops over the coming years.

Looking ahead

CL5 is the latest addition to CyanLines’ growing network, following four initial routes across Manchester and Salford.

The wider vision is to connect hundreds of miles of green and blue spaces across Greater Manchester over the next decade, creating a city region that is greener, healthier and easier to navigate.

For Manchester, it is another example of how regeneration is increasingly being considered on a neighbourhood-wide scale.

And as East Manchester continues to evolve, the connections between its new homes, workplaces, leisure destinations and public spaces could be just as important as the developments themselves.