It’s hoped the situation might improve next week
(Image: UGC)
A Metrolink station lift built with a glitzy 40-storey skyscraper reportedly only opened for three days in 18 months — during the Conservative Party Conference.
Salboy, developers of the Viadux skyscraper behind Beetham Tower, offered to build a new lift and staircase from Great Bridgewater Street up to the Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop to help improve access. But the firm’s original plans to run the lift through the Victorian viaduct where the station lies were denied by Manchester council for heritage reasons.
Plan B was to construct a free-standing lift nearby on council-owned land which was accepted. But no agreement on who would maintain and manage the facilities was reached before construction finished.
It’s led to the bizarre situation where a brand-new lift has been closed since Viadux opened in June 2024 except reportedly for three days during the Conservatives’ 2025 conference, held at Manchester Central exhibition hall next to both Viadux and the Metrolink halt.
The stairs were open only for three days when Conservative conference was on
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the lift was left unlocked at one end after the conference for several days — so passengers could hop in at Great Bridgewater Street, but be unable to leave as gates on top were locked shut. Homeless people were also said to be sleeping rough on the stairs, leading to frustration among locals.
It now appears the lift should be opened to the public after Manchester council told the LDRS the developer will be responsible for its upkeep moving forward as a formal agreement was due to be signed on Friday (December 5)..
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “The access lift in question presented a complex set of arrangements that involved a number of local stakeholders. The Council has worked closely with each to resolve the issue and Salboy will be responsible for the maintenance of the lift going forward.”
Salboy declined to comment.