£180,000 in National Lottery Heritage Funding Secured for the Rocket 2030 Partnership.

To mark 200 years of the world’s first inter-city railway, Manchester Histories announce that the Rocket 2030 Partnership has secured just over £180,000 from The National Heritage Lottery Fund, alongside contributions from key partners, to celebrate the bicentennial of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The 200th anniversary of the world’s first inter-city passenger railway between Liverpool and Manchester in 2030 is a significant event in railway history. It is fantastic news that, thanks to National Lottery players, we are supporting important research and planning towards a series of heritage and cultural events for the future Rocket 2030 anniversary celebrations.”

This significant investment will lay the foundations for Manchester Histories to commission, develop and deliver a dynamic programme of events and community engagement activities with the Rocket 2030 Partnership from 2024 to 2027.  The programme will forge connections between past, present, and future and celebrate groundbreaking railway history and its lasting impact on heritage, culture, and communities across the North West. It will provide opportunities to thoughtfully address historical issues, such as labour exploitation during the industrial era and current challenges like climate crises. 

This initiative draws inspiration from the original prospectus issued on October 29, 1824, which aimed to raise £300,000 for the railway.

Manchester Histories will lead the project over the next three years, working alongside cultural organisations, local authorities, communities along the route, and key rail sector partners, including Network Rail and Northern Rail. This inventive collaboration emphasises the critical role of skills and innovation in the North West. It aims to enhance the workforce development partnership, ensuring that the project contributes to the broader goals of economic growth and community empowerment. 

Karen Shannon, CEO of Manchester Histories, said: “We are incredibly grateful to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support in bringing Rocket 2030 to life. This project offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate a major milestone in railway history while also addressing important contemporary issues like sustainability and community heritage.”

Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool, said: “National Museums Liverpool are delighted to be a key partner in the Rocket 2030 project, celebrating the ground-breaking legacy of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. This collaboration enables us to bring history to life in new and exciting ways while creating opportunities for people to engage with their heritage. Together, we’re honouring the past and shaping a more innovative and inclusive future.”

Key events and activities planned include:

Preservation of Heritage: Rocket 2030 will explore the heritage of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, addressing its architectural, cultural, and community significance. Key landmarks such as the Grade I listed Sankey Viaduct and Liverpool Road Station will be highlighted, alongside the railway’s impact on the region’s industrial development. 

Cultural Events and Activities: Rocket 2030 will deliver a series of cultural events, exhibitions, and artistic collaborations. This will include innovative projects such as contemporary historical animations and memorable moments in partnership with local artists to draw inspiration from the railway’s legacy and engage with current communities and audiences.

Community Involvement: The project will actively involve local communities, particularly those along the railway route, in celebrating the railway’s legacy. Partners Hamilton Davies Trust and partners will develop the Community Railway Partnership (CRP) to empower local communities to actively preserve and promote their railway heritage, ensuring ongoing engagement beyond the project’s lifespan. Small grants will be available to support community-led heritage initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in local history.

Economic Impact and Tourism: By partnering with the visitor economy sector, Rocket 2030 aims to create a significant heritage tourism offer that will attract national and international visitors, bolster local economies, and promote sustainable tourism.

Educational Initiatives: Collaborations with local schools and universities to incorporate the railway’s history into educational programmes using new technologies, ensuring that younger generations are connected to their heritage.

Sustainability and Innovation: Rocket 2030 will reflect on the past and address contemporary environmental challenges. The project will explore the railway’s role in shaping climate resilience and sustainable transport, with support from academic institutions and key rail industry partners.

Professor Paul Salveson, Chair of the Rocket 2030 Partnership, said: “The 200th anniversary of the world’s first inter-city railway is a great opportunity to celebrate our past as well as the importance of our railways in meeting the modern-day challenges of climate change and social inclusion. As a lifelong railwayman, I look forward to Rocket 2030 as truly inclusive, bringing together the people working on today’s railways and the communities they serve and support.”

As we look forward to the upcoming years, the Rocket 2030 Partnership is excited to embark on this journey of discovery, celebration, and community engagement. We invite everyone to join us in making this bicentennial celebration a landmark occasion honouring our past and inspiring future generations.

Phil James, North West route Director at Network Rail, said: “Rocket 2030 promises to be an incredible celebration of an iconic inter-city railway that provides a vital economic and cultural link between two much loved North West cities. We are proud to be custodians of this historic railway and continue to build on this incredible heritage in everything we do. From those pioneering days of steam travel, we now help millions of people travel between Manchester and Liverpool annually. We are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for their support, and we look forward to working with communities on this initiative.”

The Rocket 2023 Partnership is Liverpool City Council/Culture Liverpool, Manchester City Council, Manchester Histories, Metal Culture, Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool, Network Rail, Northern Rail, Salford City Council, Science and Industry Museum, St Helens Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, The University of Liverpool. Hamilton Davies Trust and partners are developing the Community Railway Partnership (CRP).

We extend our thanks to the National Lottery players. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and contributions from key partners. Without their support, this project would not be possible. Their contributions are vital in helping us protect and celebrate the heritage that matters to our communities.

The media release, logos and images are available online here: https://bit.ly/Rocket2023MediaPackOct24