Motorists are being urged to “plan ahead” as Mancunian Way will be closed on what is a busy weekend of events.
This weekend alone, Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League clash at home at Old Trafford with a 5:30pm kick-off, boyband The Wanted will take to the stage at the AO Arena as part of their reunion tour, and the Manchester ‘Irish Parade’ will make its through Cheetham Hill to the city centre to mark St Patrick’s Day.
But this is all happening on a weekend when the major road in and out of the city centre, the Mancunian Way, is to be fully closed in both directions.
TfGM says the closure is for “annual maintenance”.
A statement confirming the full closure on its website, TfGM says: “On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, the Mancunian Way will close for its annual maintenance.
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“86,000 vehicles typically use the Mancunian Way on a matchday, so its closure means that a large number of vehicles will be dispersed onto surrounding roads and diversion routes [and] to avoid being caught in the congestion, it’s important that you plan ahead and familiarise yourself with the recommended diversion routes.”
The closure is confirmed to be between Pin Mill Brow and Chester Road roundabout.
For those making their way to one of the aforementioned events, or for those needing to travel into the city centre for other reasons, TfGM has advised that people “plan ahead” and has set out some alternative routes and transport options for motorists to consider.
In most instances, people are being “strongly urged” to use public transport.
For those opting to travel by car, TfGM recommends using the M60 for journeys through the city centre, especially for west to east and east to west trips, and advises using junction 7 to travel into the city centre on the Sunday as this “may be the quickest route”, while also adding that roadworks are also taking place on Trinity Way, which will “affect southbound journey times” near to the AO Arena.
For people heading to Old Trafford who “have no alternative but to drive”, TfGM says it “strongly dissuades” travelling through the city centre, and fans should use the M60 and then travel to the ground via junctions 7 and 9, or use one of the Metrolink Park and Ride sites at either Parkway or Ladywell.
The Mancunian Way will be closed on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March / Credit: Pixabay
Making your way to AO Arena on either Saturday or Sunday? Again, for those who have no other option but to drive, TfGM recommends travelling early and allowing plenty of time for your journey, and using the M60 and then approaching the Arena from the north via the A580 (junction 14), Bury New Road (junction 17), or the A576 (junction 19).
People travelling into the city centre will also need to plan around the Irish Parade, which is returning to Manchester on Sunday 13 March, and will departing from the Irish Centre at midday and travel south along Cheetham Hill Road to the AO Arena, before turning round and returning to the Irish Centre.
To allow for the parade to take place, a number of road closure will be in place on the day.
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Queens Road (westbound) – 10am to 2:30pm
Queens Road (eastbound) – 11:30am to 2:30pm
Cheetham Hill Road – 11:30am to 2:30pm.
“These closures mean all traffic will need to use alternative routes and there could be congestion on these roads, especially roads near the parade route,” TfGM says.
You can find more information about the Mancunian Way closure this weekend here.
Fundraiser launched to find ‘beautiful soul’ now missing for almost three weeks
Daisy Jackson
An urgent fundraiser has been set up to help in the search for a Manchester man, who has now been missing for almost three weeks.
Adeo Alston, 25, was last seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury on Friday 16 May.
Greater Manchester Police have been conducting urgent searches for missing Adeo, who was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, a green short-sleeved button up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
But now his loved ones have launched a GoFundMe to help them raise the costs for a private investigator.
It’s hoped that the £1.5k target will pay for the investigation fees, with the ‘hope of finding and getting him home safe’.
When Adeo was last seen, he was reportedly heading in the direction of the River Mersey after socialising with a man and a woman.
GMP have been investigating, checking CCTV, bank records, phone activity and appealing for witnesses – but have so far found ‘no leads’.
The GoFundMe, by Adeo’s friend Charlie Watkinson, says: “We’re now running out of options.
“It’s becoming increasingly concerning as the days pass and we’re all so worried and miss him so so much.
“We are now resorting to a private investigator – the funds we raise from this will pay for the investigation fees, with the hope of finding and getting him home safe.
Guide Dogs desperately needs people in Greater Manchester to ‘foster’ its dogs while they’re in training
Emily Sergeant
Guide Dogs desperately needs Greater Manchester residents to take on the volunteering role of Fosterers.
The charity – which has been providing mobility support, and raising awareness of and campaigning for the blind and partially sighted since 1934 – relies on the help of its network of its more than 14,000 volunteers across the UK to help it make a difference and improve the lives of those with visual impairments.
And Fosterers are a vital part of the journey for the hundreds of dogs trained each year.
As a Training Dog Fosterer, you’ll be giving a dog in training a loving home whilst they embark on their journey to become a guide dog.
You’ll get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, all without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.
Guide Dogs North West – which is based at the state-of-the-art training school in Atherton – has taken to social media this week to issue a desperate plea for new Fosterers to join its volunteer network in our region, and is calling on dog lovers who can commit to the important role to get in touch.
“Calling dog lovers around Atherton,” the post on Instagram reads.
“We desperately need volunteer Fosterers to look after our trainee guide dogs during the evenings and weekends. We take care of the training and costs, such as food and vet bills, and you take care of the play time and cuddles.”
One of the most crucial parts of the Fosterer role is being able to drop the dog off between 8-9am and pick them up between 5-6pm at a Guide Dogs site or a site near a trainers’ home each weekday – which means you will likely need to live nearby to the Atherton training centre or be fully-committed to travelling.
Guide Dogs desperately needs people in Greater Manchester to ‘foster’ its dogs while they’re in training / Credit: Guide Dogs
What will you get in return? Well, volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time, you’ll get a dedicated volunteer manager / key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with the charity.
And of course, you’ll get lots of cuddles from the new four-legged friend you’ve welcomed into your home.
This could be a chance to play your part in changing lives.
Emily Sergeant -
8th March 2022 
