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Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption

TfGM said it's 'very sorry'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 21st October 2026

Transport for Greater Manchester has announced a shuttle bus scheme to help Manchester United fans get to Old Trafford this week, amid major tram disruption.

Fans won’t be able to use trams to get to the ground as usual, due to huge improvement works which are in place until Monday 2 November.

There’ll be no trams at all on the Altrincham, Trafford Park, and Eccles lines, with Airport and East Didsbury trams only going as far as Firswood.

That means that fans heading to Manchester United’s home game against Bournemouth would have been a little stuck without this newly-announced shuttle bus service.

Frequent dedicated shuttle buses will run running Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham Interchange and the Trafford Centre, taking fans directly to Old Trafford before the game.

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Frequencies range from five to 20 minutes depending on the route and time, with details available online. Return services will be in place after the final whistle.

TfGM staff will be at key stops and interchanges throughout the day to help fans get to the match and provide travel advice.

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Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption. Credit: TfGM

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “There is no good time to disrupt passengers to carry out these works, and this is the first time in over a decade that trams won’t serve Old Trafford on a match day, but these works are essential and will enable us to provide a better service in future. I am very sorry to fans who face disruption.

“We’ve put a range of alternative travel options in place, including dedicated shuttle buses, bolstered Bee Network bus services, rail options and ticket acceptance arrangements will help fans get to and from the game.

“Journey options will be different from usual, so we would encourage supporters to plan ahead, check their route and our website before they travel and leave plenty of time to get to and from the stadium.”

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TfGM is advising supporters to leave around an hour earlier to help make sure they arrive in time for kick-off.

Full details of the shuttle buses, alternative routes and ticket acceptance arrangements can be found on the dedicated Manchester United v Bournemouth travel information page.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Andy Burnham introduces new rules to tackle ‘rip-off’ parking charges

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Andy Burnham introduces new rules to tackle 'rip-off' parking charges

City centre parking is at a premium, especially in a city like Manchester – but we’ve surely all made honest mistakes when paying and been slapped with eye-watering fines as a result.

Well now, Andy Burnham has announced a new Private Parking Code of Practice, which will clamp down on ‘rip-off’ private parking charges.

It will also make it easier for drivers to challenge unfair charges, capping charges for ‘smaller slip-ups’ at £20, and scrapping charges altogether on appeal for ‘honest mistakes’.

The new Code will get drivers a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave once their session ends.

Under the new Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament today, you’ll be able to appeal to have all charges scrapped for honest mistakes like stopping briefly to check directions, and for situations like a medical emergency, breakdown or broken ticket machine.

Then charges will be capped at £20 for other mistakes such as forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong vehicle’s registration or forgetting to confirm it in the machine when parking.

The Code also freezes the maximum parking charge at £100. Operators who don’t comply risk losing access to DVLA data, meaning that even if they issue a charge, it will be far more difficult to identify the registered owner to pursue payment.

Data shows just under 17 million private parking charges were issued in the UK last year alone.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn’t end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat.

“These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I’m putting a stop to them.

Andy Burnham introduces new rules to tackle 'rip-off' parking charges. Credit: Unsplash, Samuel Isaacs
Andy Burnham introduces new rules to tackle ‘rip-off’ parking charges. Credit: Unsplash, Samuel Isaacs

“We are introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes, while going after the deliberate scams that rip drivers off.”

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:  “Parking should be straightforward, not another everyday hassle. These changes mean drivers get a fairer deal, protected time to park and leave without fear of being unfairly charged, and confidence that private parking providers are held to a higher standard. 

“It’s yet another step forward in this government’s plan to take the stress out of everyday life and ease the pressure on people’s pockets.”

Minister for Consumer Action, Kate Dearden, said: “Nobody works hard for their money just to be deceived by a dodgy trader, and this is exactly the kind of everyday rip-off this government is going after.

“By making it easier to take action against car clocking, we are protecting consumers’ hard-earned money and supporting businesses that play by the rules.”

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Featured image: Unsplash, James Genchi

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Two teens arrested after stabbing of 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant GMP police car

Two teenagers have been arrested following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.

In case you need bringing up to speed first, at around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.

Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.

Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.

Police conceded that this will ‘understandably’ cause concern in the community, but has assured the public that they believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.

And now, it has been confirmed that two teenage boys, also aged 14, were arrested on Sunday night (18 October) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and tat this time, they are currently in custody for questioning.

“We’d like to thank the local community for their support during our investigation as well as the passersby who helped the victim following this incident,” commented Detective Inspector Sean McFadden, of GMP’s City of Manchester district.

“Your quick-thinking undoubtedly saved the victim from potentially life-threatening injuries.

“We appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern and we’d like to reassure the public that we understand this was an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the community.

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“Officers worked quickly and arrested two juveniles on Sunday, and they currently remain in custody for questioning.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

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