Travel advice for Manchester’s big events weekend

Music lovers heading to Old Trafford, the Etihad Stadium and the annual Parklife festival at Heaton Park this weekend are being encouraged to plan their journeys and consider using public transport.

National Highways is warning drivers congestion is likely around the local motorway network at key times over the weekend. This year, as well as one of the UK’s biggest music festivals, Parklife on Saturday and Sunday (11 and 12 June), Ed Sheeran is playing all four nights of the weekend at the Etihad Stadium in east Manchester from Thursday (9 June) and the Killers are headlining at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday.

Around 200,000 people are expected to be in, around or passing through Manchester over the weekend.

With more than half of Parklife attendees travelling to the festival by public transport, Bury line Metrolink services are expected to be very busy in both directions from 10am to 3pm and after 9pm on both days. Customers who can travel flexibly should avoid these busy periods for a quieter journey.

Meanwhile, the Killers and Alicia Keys will play the Emirates Old Trafford and the AO Arena respectively on Saturday 11 June. Trams will be busy on the Altrincham line from 5pm with those heading to the Killers encouraged to also use the Firswood (East Didsbury/Airport line) or Wharfside (Trafford Park line) for quieter journeys.

Anyone attending a concert is advised to plan ahead, allow sufficient time, check last tram and train times, and have a back-up plan in case their planned route is disrupted in any way.

National Highways is issuing its usual advice for motorway users with Parklife at Heaton Park bordered by the M60 between junction 17 at Whitefield and junction 19 at Middleton including Simister Island at junction 18 where the M60 meets the M62 and M66.

Anyone using the motorways is being advised to expect congestion – especially when concert goers are leaving Parklife each night from around 9pm onwards, potentially into the early hours.

National Highways traffic officers will be working with Greater Manchester Police throughout the event to keep drivers on the move, keep pedestrians away from the motorway and prevent drivers dropping off or picking up from the hard shoulders or carriageways.

National Highways traffic officers at the North West Regional Operations Centre will be closely monitoring motorway traffic using CCTV cameras and patrols will be out and about to help manage traffic and keep drivers on the move. Electronic variable message signs will be used to advise motorway users of the event in advance as well as over the weekend to warn of incidents and any congestion.

Chris Chadwick, senior network planner for National Highways in the North West, said: “We’ve ensured there are no roadworks on key routes over the weekend and we don’t expect any major congestion problems but people shouldn’t just leave the house and ‘hope for the best’.

“Our message to anyone thinking of driving to or around Manchester over the weekend is to plan your journey and certainly check traffic conditions before setting out. If you are going to one of the events please give yourself plenty of time.”

Full information on public transport options for each of the weekend’s events is available on the Transport for Greater Manchester website.

Those using the tram network over the weekend are also being urged to keep themselves and others safe while travelling by following a few simple steps:

• Keep a suitable distance from the platform edge other than when boarding a tram
• Taking extra care of yourself or others if under the influence of alcohol
• Walk, instead of running, when on-stop and getting on/off trams
• Watch where you step and take care while using your mobile

Several measures are being introduced by TfGM and operator Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM) in order to provide a safe and stable network, including extended running hours and extra capacity – including more double trams – on the Bury and Altrincham lines.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police and British Transport Police will also be on hand at key stops – Heaton Park, Bowker Vale and Victoria – to help passengers leave the Parklife site safely.

Safe queuing systems will be in operation at St Peter’s Square and Victoria stops, which will act as dedicated boarding points for people heading to Parklife.

Temporary daytime closures will also be in place at the following Metrolink stops on Saturday and Sunday, which will reopen in the evening once the festival ends:

• Exchange Square – closed at 12pm, reopens 9pm
• Shudehill – closed from 6am, reopens 9.30pm
• Market Street – closed from 6am, reopens 9.30pm
• Piccadilly Gardens – closed from 3pm, reopens 9.30pm
• Heaton Park – closed from 6pm, reopens following day

Parklife attendees can purchase the Express Pass which offers the greatest flexibility and the quickest route to the festival, allowing travel on either the direct Parklife shuttle bus or Metrolink services from the city centre.

National Highways provides live traffic information via its website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available at @highwaysNWEST.

Providing they can do so safely, road users can also call the National Highways information line on 0300 123 5000 to keep up to date with road conditions.