People travelling into Manchester city centre this weekend urged to plan ahead due to major roadworks and events

People travelling into Manchester city centre this weekend are being urged to plan ahead with major roadworks and Metrolink engineering works, as well as major music and sport events, expected to impact journeys.

For a quicker and more enjoyable journey, people are advised to leave the car at home as roadworks are taking place in a number of locations including Shudehill, Deansgate and Ancoats, and congestion expected on the roads at all times on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March.

Bus journeys are also likely to be affected by increased traffic, and some services may be running on different routes in the city centre. Customers should check on-stop information and follow their operator on social media for the latest updates.

Anyone planning to travel by tram should also be aware that due to Metrolink engineering works there will be no services operating to Shudehill, Market Street or Piccadilly Gardens over the weekend. Services will operate via St Peter’s Square and Exchange Square instead.

Trams on the Ashton and Eccles lines will run to Piccadilly and Cornbrook respectively, with replacement buses running between Cornbrook and Piccadilly and Victoria and Piccadilly. Metrolink staff will also be deployed key at locations across the network to assist customers.

More information on the Metrolink engineering works, including walking time between city centre stops, can be found online.

Several road closures are planned to allow for roadworks to take place, including the closure of Shudehill northbound between High Street and Thomas Street from 1am on Saturday 11 March until 5am on Monday 13 March:

• There will be no access to Mosley Street between Charlotte Street and Parker Street, and no access to New York Street from York Street, from 1am on Saturday 11 March until 5am on Monday 13 March.
• John Dalton Street is due to close in both directions on both days between Deansgate and Bow Street for the installation of a crane, should this not go ahead due to bad weather this will take place on 18 and 19 March. A signed diversionary route will be in place.
• In Ancoats, Thompson Street is due to close westbound one way on both days between Oldham Road and Rochdale Road for the removal of a crane. should this not go ahead due to bad weather this will take place on a later date. A signed diversionary route will be in place.

Pedestrian routes will be provided on all engineering or construction works for people in the city centre and cycling provides a great way to avoid the congestion and make short trips. Hundreds of cycle hire bikes are available at locations throughout the city centre to allow for quick and easy cross-city travel. For more information on the cycle hire scheme, click here.

For more details on all roadworks in the city centre and diversionary routes, visit TfGM’s website.

The following high-profile events are taking place in and around the city centre over the weekend:

• Saturday 11 March Lizzo at the AO Arena (doors open from 6pm) – an estimated 15,000 people are expected to attend the concert. Congestion is expected around Corporation Street, the Inner Ring Road and Hunts Bank, along with increased footfall on Corporation Street on Saturday night.
• Sunday 12 March St Patrick’s Day Parade (12noon until 2pm) – around 1,000 people expected to line the route, with rolling road closures from Queens Road, through to Cheetham Hill Road before circling back from Great Ducie Street. Delays are expected on the roads in the Cheetham Hill area and there may be delays entering and leaving Manchester Fort during the parade.
• Sunday 12 March Manchester United vs Southampton (2pm kick-off) – approximately 75,000 football fans due to attend match at Old Trafford, with thousands more watching in the city centre. Heavy traffic expected on the Inner Ring Road and around the ground likely before and after the match. Dedicated travel advice can be found here.
• Sunday 12 March Chris Brown at the AO Arena (doors open from 6pm) – approximately 15,000 attendees expected. Congestion likely around Corporation Street, the Inner Ring Road and Hunts Bank.

Sean Dyball, TfGM’s Head of Customer Experience, said: “With thousands of people expected to be travelling in and around the regional centre this weekend, I’d urge anyone planning the same trip to plan ahead and allow sufficient time for their journeys.

“For a quicker and more enjoyable journey, please consider leaving the car at home this weekend as we are expecting heavy congestion on roads in and around the regional centre. Alternatively, consider using the car for part of the journey and then switching to public transport by parking free at a Park and Ride then travelling by tram.

“While some parts of the Metrolink network will be closed this weekend, travelling by tram continues to be one of the quickest and most convenient ways to get around the city centre, with services continuing to run throughout the weekend on diverted routes. With hundreds of bikes at convenient locations, our cycle hire scheme is also a quick, easy and healthy option for people wanting to make short journeys cross the city centre.

“People travelling by tram are encouraged to use contactless payments for a fast and efficient way to pay. Just remember to touch-in and touch-out with the same device on the smart readers at the start and end of each journey, and Metrolink will work out the best fare for you.”

For live travel updates, follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter or visit tfgm.com.