Key Manchester road to shut this weekend for annual maintenance checks

Annual safety and maintenance inspections will lead to the closure of one of Manchester’s busiest city centre roads this weekend.

The Mancunian Way will shut in both directions between 5am on Saturday, September 9, and 7pm on Sunday, September 10.

Traffic will be diverted via Chester Road, Bridgewater Viaduct, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, Fairfield Street and vice versa.

Drivers are likely to see an increase in journey times when travelling across the city due to an increase in road users using alternative routes in the city centre.

The weekend has been carefully selected to minimise the impact to the people of Greater Manchester, taking into consideration factors such as school holidays and major events.

Based on data from previous closures, the quietest time to travel will be before midday, while the busiest time is likely to be between 4pm and 7pm on Saturday and 3pm and 6pm on Sunday.

Chester Road, Regent Road, Whitworth Street, Fairfield Street and the Inner Ring Road approaching the Mancunian Way are likely to be the most impacted roads.

Using the M60 and the motorway network will likely be the fastest way to get from one side of the city to the other.

Mancunian Way diversion

However, if drivers are already in the city centre and looking to make a journey, they are advised to use the northern part of the Inner Ring Road (Trinity Way and Great Ancoats Street) to avoid congestion on the Whitworth Street diversion route.

Peter Boulton, head of highways at TfGM, has urged anyone making a journey by road to plan ahead and allow additional time for travel.

He said: “Whatever your journey, make sure to familiarise yourself with the closure information. Due to the diversions through the city centre, we expect to see increased congestion which may also impact bus services, particularly those that run close to, or parallel to the Mancunian Way.

“Ensure you leave plenty of extra time so that any delay doesn’t affect your plans.”

Anyone travelling into the city centre is recommended to use Metrolink services which won’t be impacted by the closure. Those needing to travel by car can avoid city centre congestion by parking for free at one of 24 park and ride locations and travel by tram for the final part of the journey into the city.

People are also encouraged to help reduce congestion on the road by cycling or walking when taking shorter journeys.

Other essential city centre works taking place are:

Rochdale Road closure

Between 8.30pm on Thursday, September 7, and 5am on Monday, September 11, an inbound road closure will take place on Rochdale Road between Addington Street/Angel Street and Swan Street to facilitate the dismantling of a tower crane.

Traffic will be diverted via Addington Street, Oldham Road and Swan Street where it will resume normal route. Advanced signage will be placed at the junction of Rochdale Road and Thompson Street to capture traffic on Rochdale Road before reaching the closure.

Great Ancoats Street closure

After the Mancunian Way has reopened, from 8pm on Sunday, September 10, to 4am on Monday, September 11, a one-way closure will be in place on Great Ancoats Street between Pollard Street and Old Mill Street to facilitate a crane lift. Traffic will be diverted via Old Mill Street, Carruthers Street, Pollard Street.