Transport bosses have issued an urgent weekend warning as congestion in the centre of Manchester is 'expected on the roads at all times' on Saturday and Sunday.
Major Metrolink engineering will take place combined with roadworks and road closures, two huge concerts at Manchester Arena and Manchester United playing at home. Some buses, said Transport for Greater Manchester, are likely to run on different routes in the city centre due to the planned road closures.
Due to Metrolink engineering works, no trams will run 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, meanwhile, will run to Piccadilly and Cornbrook respectively, with replacement buses running between Cornbrook and Piccadilly and between Victoria and Piccadilly.
Roadworks will see the closure of Shudehill northbound between High Street and Thomas Street from 1am on Saturday through to 5am on Monday. There will be no access to Mosley Street between Charlotte Street and Parker Street, and no access to New York Street from York Street over the same period.
John Dalton Street, meanwhile, is due to be closed in both directions on both days between Deansgate and Bow Street for the installation of a crane, subject to the weather. A signed diversion will be in place.
And in Ancoats, Thompson Street is also due to be shut westbound one way on both days between Oldham Road and Rochdale Road for the removal of a crane, work which is also subject to the weather conditions. A signed diversion will be in place there, too.
TfGm said: "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 is expected on the roads at all times on Saturday and Sunday.
"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."
The annual St Patrick's Day parade will be held on Sunday, between noon and 2pm, with 1,000 people expected to line the route. TfGM said there would be rolling road closures from Queens Road, through to Cheetham Hill Road before the parade circles 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," said a spokesman.
Manchester United face Southampton at Old Trafford at 2pm on Sunday, with a 75,000 crowd expected, while Lizzo plays the AO Arena on Saturday night and Chris Brown on Sunday. Doors open at 6pm and crowds of 15,000 are expected.
"Congestion is expected around Corporation Street, the Inner Ring Road and Hunts Bank, along with increased footfall on Corporation Street," said TfGM.
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."
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