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.
“The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time.”
In a statement, Cheshire Police said: “At around 8.50am today, Tuesday 28 March, police were made aware that a 25-year-old woman had collapsed at a stables on Old Coach Road, Malpas.
“Emergency services attended the location and, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the woman sadly died at the scene.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
It’s heartbreaking to hear Jess lost her life today at the tender age of 25. She was riding out doing what she loved. We had so many great times working in Dubai. May she rest in peace. Here’s her just 72 hours ago. 😔 pic.twitter.com/WE491wmVu4
Keir Starmer says Labour will ‘freeze’ council tax this year if elected
Emily Sergeant
Keir Starmer has said he will “freeze” council tax in England this year if Labour triumphs in the upcoming local elections.
The Labour leader says his party will cut tax “for the many, not just for the top 1%.”
With the next local elections coming up on 4 May 2023, and Labour hoping to gain in its number of seats across England and Wales, Sir Keir Starmer appeared in Swindon today to launch his party’s election campaign, and hit out at the Conservative Party for being “nowhere near good enough” over their last 13 years of power.
Starmer notably blasted the Tories for their decision to raise tax-free pension limits in its most recent Budget announcement – which is set to benefit the most well-off in our society – and said Labour would counteract this and represent working people.
You’d have more money in your pocket with a Labour government.
It comes after almost three in four local Councils say they are planning to increase the cost by the maximum amount allowed after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt raised the cap on council tax increases without a referendum from 3% to 5%.
Council leaders claim they have “little choice” but to increase costs as the rising cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt nationwide.
Speaking at the launch of Labour’s campaign today, Starmer stated “there is a choice on tax” for the public to make in the upcoming local elections.
He added: “A Tory choice – taxes up for working people, tax cuts for the 1% – or a Labour choice, where we cut business rates to save our high streets and where, if there was a Labour government, you could take that council tax rise you just got and rip it up.
I know what it feels like when times are tough.
I’m determined to help everyone who is finding it tough now.
“A Labour government would freeze your council tax this year – that’s our choice. A tax cut for the many, not just for the top 1%. So take this message to every doorstep in your community: Labour is the party of lower taxes for working people.
“That’s the difference we can make. That’s the choice in May. A better Britain.”
Starmer said he intends for the pledges he made in Labour’s local election campaign launch to “send a message to the government” after their 13 years in power.
“What they’ve delivered to our country nowhere near good enough,” he said
“We’ve got to get out there and show people the difference Labour can make. Let them see our hunger for change. We have to prove that this suffocating cost of living crisis, the path of decline the Tories have set Britain on, the endless sticking plaster politics, is not inevitable.
Emily Sergeant -
8th March 2022 
