Anger over weekday closure of Mancunian Way

COUNCIL chiefs have come under fire for the two-day closure of the Mancunian Way in Manchester which has caused long delays for city commuters.

The key route has been closed since yesterday (Monday June 13) and will only reopen tomorrow at 6am.

It has been partially closed since a large sinkhole appeared during a period of prolonged heavy rain last summer. The closure has been necessary for a full inspection of the road to be carried out.

Manchester City Council said closing it over the weekend would have added to congestion caused by the Parklife music festival.

But a Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce spokesperson told the BBC: “To think that the disruption would be less on a weekday than at a weekend, even allowing for the Parklife Festival, just doesn’t stand up or make any sense.”

Cllr Kate Chappell the executive member for environment and roads on Manchester City Council said the disruption would have been worse at the weekend with 70,000 music fans heading to the Parklife festival at Heaton Park.

“This was the least worst option,” she said.