Ordsall Chord

Ordsall Chord is a vital new rail connection between Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria Stations in Manchester. Completed in 2018 as part of commissioning client Network Rail’s ‘Northern Hub’ Scheme, the £32m viaduct links the three stations for the first time and provides significant improvements in network capacity, resilience and connectivity.

The weathering steel rail viaduct culminates in the dramatic River Irwell crossing, a distinctive network arch whose curvaceous form swoops below deck level to engage with a new public realm landscape. Winner of the RIBA North West Building of the Year 2019, the dramatic design has been acclaimed for its catalytic effect on the disused post-industrial setting and its detailed execution.

Knight Architects worked with the AECOM Mott MacDonald JV in order to deliver BDP’s original design, ensuring that the construction methodology and detailing was in keeping with their original concept. It was important to emphasise the River Irwell Crossing as a new landmark whilst acknowledging the historic sensitivity of Stevenson’s Bridge nearby.