Even before last weekend’s insane scenes, which left people ‘trapped’ inside a multi-storey, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) had issued some travel advice.
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@MENnewsdesk I think have officially broken the record for the longest time trying to exit the Arndale Car Park on Saturday 26th November. It took us 5 hours 3 minutes to get from Level 12 to the exit. It is not fit for purpose Manchester Council!! FUMING! pic.twitter.com/VK6sTBX9N2
They said that the same weekend last year saw an 11% increase in peak journey times, with between 3pm and 7pm the busiest part of the day.
The first weekend of the Christmas Markets this year reportedly led to a 7% increase in vehicles around the city centre.
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TfGM encouraged people to use public transport or active travel wherever possible, predicting a massive upswing in visitor numbers coming to the city to shop, eat, drink, attend concerts and see the Christmas Markets.
TfGM outlined a few options available to cope with the increase in trips in the festive season.
Travel advice has been issued for the festive season. Credit: TfGM
There are thousands of free park and ride sites around Greater Manchester’s Metrolink network, with family tickets offering travel for one to three children and one or two adults from as little as £3.60.
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The new bus fare cap is in place now too, so a single trip will never cost more than £2 (or £1 for a child).
Congestion has increased in the city centre and inner ring road, with car trips returning back to pre-pandemic levels and some big road layouts that leave less space for cars (like the pedestrianisation of the Northern Quarter).
Travel advice for drivers is as follows:
Drive at a quieter time – this means avoiding driving to and around the city after 12pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and between 3pm and 7pm during the week.
Know where road congestion may be – our data shows that journeys along the Mancunian Way typically have higher journey times during the week, and journeys along the northern section of the Inner Ring Road (Great Ancoats Street) have higher journey times at the weekend.
Take a different route – if you need to drive across the city at the weekend, it may be quicker to use Alan Turing Way/Mancunian Way.
Park on the same side of the city as your route if you can – driving across the city can add additional time to your journey, so if it’s an option for you, park in a car park closest to your route out of the city centre.
Check for quicker routes before every car journey on Google, Waze and other Apps. You can also use TfGM’s journey planner.
TfGM’s Get on Board Christmas campaign has helpfully mapped out festive offerings around the region – from food to free things to family activities – and includes travel advice on how to get there.
TfGM’s Head of Highways, Peter Boulton, said: “We want everyone coming to enjoy the many great attractions that the city centre and Trafford Centre have to offer to enjoy the festivities and have a great time.
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“The number of trips on our roads is back to where they were before the pandemic and that is leading to added congestion at key times – which means more people stuck in traffic.
“To avoid this, we’d encourage people to plan their journey by thinking about how they plan to get in, around and out of the city centre.
“Public transport is a great option, with frequent services and great value products as well as plenty of staff and information on hand to help you plan the perfect journey.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council, said: “It has been great to see people returning to Manchester to enjoy what the festive season has to offer.
“We are expecting it to be increasingly busy the closer we get to Christmas which is why we’d urge people to plan ahead before they travel and stay up to date with the region’s transport network through the TfGM website.
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“We’d encourage people to use public transport as much as possible when travelling into Manchester as it is the most environmentally friendly method, as well as the best way of beating the traffic.”
Featured image:TfGM
Travel & Tourism
The charming pottery shop near Manchester selling absolute bargains
Daisy Jackson
You know you’re growing up when you’re more interested in spending your money on plates than partying – and we’ve found just the spot for you.
There’s a charming little pottery shop not far from Manchester that sells some sought-after crockery and homeware at bargain prices.
On the shelves at Jules you’ll find a mixture of end-of-line and run-of-the-kiln pottery (this is where designers make more than needed to account for any mistakes or breaks).
Jules has been trading for more than 30 years in Hebden Bridge, selling everything from cookware and tableware to home decor.
If it’s made of clay, you’ll find it here, and at drastically lower prices than you’d pay in most shops.
They promise to offer ‘unbelievable prices’ on plates, bowls, jugs, casserole dishes and loads more.
And you’ll come across some names you might know, like bowls from Oliver Bonas and vases from Anthropologie, all for just a few pounds apiece.
The shops spans across two floors with crockery stacked up in wobbly piles everywhere you look.
This is not a place for toddlers, backpacks or butter fingers.
Jules is a lovely pottery shop in Hebden Bridge selling bargains. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s tucked right in the heart of the beautiful Hebden Bridge, so you can plan a whole day trip around your shopping trip.
This lovely market town is known for its artistic community, vibrant culture, and stunning natural scenery, all centred around the pretty cobbled-street centre.
Having a mooch round the local market, browsing the shops and of course strolling down the tranquil riverside, this is what an ideal Saturday looks like.
When it’s time for a pint you won’t need to look hard to find a quaint pub garden to plonk yourself into, plenty more spots to grab something to eat and stunning natural wine bars for a final tipple.
We could keep talking about what a gem this Yorkshire market town is forever, just over half an hour in-between Leeds and Manchester it’s worth blocking off a Saturday to have a mooch.
And make sure you pop in to Jules to buy some pottery while you’re at it.
Marian Resort & Spa – The reborn hotel with cosy cabins and stunning views in the Welsh countryside
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston
I always say there’s no such thing as too much spa time and I have had the pleasure and delight of trying out a couple this summer. With so much going on in and out of work at the moment, if the opportunity to enjoy some peace and tranquillity arises, I’ll be first in line to take it.
Set in the beautiful Welsh countryside and just a short 10 minute drive from Prestatyn beach is the gorgeous Marian Resort and Spa. Having been a holiday site since 1909, the new owners have converted it into the resort it is today, reopening in March 2024.
The resort is made up of cabins and lodges that are kitted out for couples and groups alike. Some of the lodges come with hot tubs for you and your pals to relax and enjoy in. They’re dog friendly too, and we were lucky enough to stay in one of their lodges where dogs were allowed.
Keep your eyes peeled for their peacock who likes to have a potter around and nosey in your lodge.
The welcome to Marian was warm and welcoming – we’re handed a map to find our lodge (the resort is huge) ready to explore everything, including the main building which is home to the restaurant, cocktail bar, sports bar, gym, pool and spa.
There are plenty of locals visiting Marian while we are there which gives the resort a community feel.
Our lodge has a modern design with brand new amenities, and feels fresh and light – perfect for us to kick back with a bottle of fizz and some beautiful balms from their spa.
After a quick change, it’s straight across to the Marian Resort & Spa cocktail bar which is like stepping into the Great Gatsby movie. They have their Thirsty Thursday deal on (2-4-1 cocktails) even though it’s Saturday and we indulged in the bar’s recommendations. We drink them on the balcony outside and enjoy the stunning view.
Dinner in The View restaurant was fantastic. Like. Fantastic. Everything was delicious.
Heirloom tomato and mozzarella bruschettaAsian crispy beef saladFish cassouletGIANT sticky toffee puddingDinner at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc Group
The ingredients were so fresh – we didn’t want the meal to end. We opted for the heirloom tomato and mozzarella bruschetta and the Asian crispy beef salad, as well as the butternut squash pappardelle and the special fish cassoulet.
For dessert, we had the BIGGEST piece of sticky toffee pudding I have ever seen. The name of the restaurant The View, is apt as the view is stunning.
As darkness descends and the sun disappears, it becomes moody outside, making the whole restaurant become atmospheric.
There is a sports bar on the ground floor of Marian which was popular with the locals. It is clear that this is a destination for the whole community as well as for visitors to the area.
Views at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc GroupThe resident peacock at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc GroupThe entrance to the spa at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc Group
We had a buffet style breakfast the next day which was of very good quality. We arrived at 9.30 and it was hectic, so I recommend getting there early if you can. All the food was of top quality again and they had Quorn sausages which is always a plus as a vegetarian.
The spa is located in a small outbuilding next to the main building which has been carefully curated to create a relaxing environment.
There are reclining beds to relax on before or after your treatment with a clear view of the surrounding area.
My massage was one of the best I have ever had. The pressure was perfect and all tension simply melted away. After a chill in the relaxation room we went for a swim in the pool and baked ourselves in the sauna.
Although there is still evidence that Marian Respost & Spa is still fairly fresh, it is a great place to take your friends and family, and the sea is just 10 minutes away. For more information or to book your stay, check it out here.