Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June are expected to be one of the busiest weekends for travel around Greater Manchester with Heaton Park playing host to the Parklife festival whilst Take That are at the Etihad Stadium with other events also taking place. Ahead of the weekend Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are asking people to be prepared and plan their journeys in advance to use public transport.
It is expected that more than a quarter of a million people will be travelling to various events across the city (the Women’s Netball Final will take place at Co-Op Live on the Saturday, Lily Allen and the B52s are at the AO Arena for three nights and South Africa play India in the Women’s T20 World Cup at Old Trafford on the Sunday as well) during this long weekend. Everyone travelling – whether it be to one of the events or just going about their usual business – is strongly advised to check before travelling and to allow more time for any journey.
A revised tram service will be running on Metrolink across the weekend:
- Bury to Victoria
- Bury to Altrincham (peak-time Saturday only). Bury to Victoria at other times
- Altrincham to Etihad Campus
- Ashton-under-Lyne to Eccles via MediaCityUK
- Rochdale Town Centre to East Didsbury
- East Didsbury to Shaw and Crompton (peak-time Saturday only)
- Manchester Airport to Piccadilly
- The Trafford Centre to Deansgate-Castlefield
In addition several tramstops will be closed at various times over the weekend:
- Heaton Park – from 2100 on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June. Please use Bowker Vale to board instead.
- Market Street and Shudehill – from 1200 to 1700 on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June
- Velopark, Holt Town and Clayton Hall (Manchester bound) from 2230 on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “Greater Manchester is renowned for hosting major events, and this is no exception, with Manchester’s biggest music festival and international sport just some of the attractions taking place across a blockbuster weekend.
“We’re expecting it to be very busy across the network, with more than a quarter of a million fans travelling to various sports and music events.
“We will have as many staff as possible on the network, running as many services as we can to ensure that the Bee Network is here to help you get where you need to go.
“So, for everyone looking to get out and about, please plan ahead, check the Bee Network app for updates and have a safe journey.”