Commuters, drivers and public transport users are being warned to expect delays in and around Manchester as United’s rescheduled match tonight clashes with road closures and major event planning.
Manchester United will host AFC Bournemouth tonight at 8pm at Old Trafford for the final match of the Premier League season.
A training device, later revealed as a mobile phone duct taped to a gas pipe, was left behind by Security Search Management & Solutions Ltd and found by security teams at the ground, causing a Saturday’s mass stadium evacuation.
The boss of the firm, Chris Reid, has since apologised. The blunder could cost Manchester United up to £3m in compensation for fans.
Tonight’s rearranged match clashes with closures on Deansgate and Oxford Road, which means large parts of the city centre will be inaccessible.
Surrounding roads will be extra busy.
Transport for Greater Manchester is advising drivers avoid the city centre and use the inner ring road (Mancunian Way, A57 Regent Road, Trinity Way) where possible.
Deansgate will shut in both directions from 12 noon on Tuesday 17 May, reopening on midday Saturday 21 May. This is so the Great City Games arena can be built in the city centre.
Public transport, including the Metrolink, is also expected to by busier than normal.
From Monday 16 May until mid-June, part of Oxford Road in Manchester is also closed between Booth Street East & West and Brunswick Street.
Buses are running diversion routes around the closures, including the 15, 18, 38, 41, 42, 42A, 43, 44, 53, 111, 142, 143, 147, 191, 197, X41, X57 and night services 42, 43, 142 and 143.
@OfficialTfGM will be tweeting any updates. For more info call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays).
