Manchester’s profile as an award winning sports city will be boosted by three major events taking place this weekend, and public transport is the best way to get there.
On Friday evening 20 May, the Great City Games will see athletes compete in a number of events on a purpose-built athletics arena in Albert Square and track on Deansgate.
Hot on its heels follows the Greater Manchester Run on Sunday 22 May, on the same day as England take on Turkey at the Etihad football stadium in a Euro 2016 warm up game (KO 5.15pm).
A number of roads will be closed across the city throughout the weekend, with Deansgate closed from Tuesday (17 May) and part of Oxford Road closed from Monday (16 May) as the University of Manchester redevelops a campus building. View a map of the affected area at www.tfgm.com.
People are advised to use public transport, with extra bus, train and tram services running. Drivers should avoid affected areas or allow more travel time, while bus, tram and train passengers should expect services to be busier than normal.
On Sunday, Metrolink will be running more double trams and Stagecoach will also be running extra shuttle buses from Piccadilly Gardens to the Etihad. Virgin, Northern and TransPennine Express will also be running strengthened rail services. Some bus services will be affected due to the Great Manchester Run.
TfGM Events Manager, John Fryer, said: “Manchester is set for one of the busiest sporting weekends of the year, with thousands of visitors in town for the City Games, Great Manchester Run and international football.
“It’s going to be a real sporting celebration and we’re looking forward to keeping athletes, spectators and everyone else moving.
“Manchester has an award-winning reputation for great transport to sporting events so people should feel confident to leave the car behind and use our buses, trams and trains.
“With thousands of free park and ride spaces across the region offering quick and frequent services in and out of the city, it makes sense to use public transport.
“With a number of roads closed we would encourage motorists to think twice about driving, particularly into the city centre and where possible to consider using an alternative mode of transport.
“If driving please be aware that the city centre will be extremely busy and congestion is to be expected. Please use the inner ring road where possible and allow extra time.”
To allow the City Games arena to be constructed, Deansgate will be closed in both directions from midday Tuesday 17 May, reopening on midday Saturday 21 May. The 10km Great Manchester Run will also mean some road closures in Manchester and Trafford on both days over the weekend.
Transport for Greater Manchester will be monitoring roads and making any changes needed to traffic signals to support traffic flow. Diversions will be signposted and messages will be displayed on variable messaging signs.
Due to engineering work replacement buses there will be changes to some local train services. Check before travelling at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
The following bus services will also be affected:
City Games: X41,TD X43, and Metroshuttle 1&2
Greater Manchester Run: V1, V2, 15, 18, 33, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 53, 84, 85, 86, 101, 104, 105, 109, 111, 130, 142, 143, 197, 219, 255, 256, 263, A40, X34, X41SC, X41TD, X43, X50, X57, Metroshuttles 1 & 2.
For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com or call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays).
For more information on Metrolink services visit www.metrolink.co.uk, call Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or follow @MCRMetrolink for live travel updates.
