Travel warning issued as tens of thousands to descend for Manchester Half Marathon

A travel warning has been issued ahead of the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend, with tens of thousands of runners and spectators expected to arrive in the city.

People are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of time, with significant road closures in place from the city centre as far out as Sale.

Road closures – and subsequent bus diversions – will also affect parts of Stretford, Chorlton, Trafford, and surrounding areas.

Around 32,000 people are expected to take part in the Manchester Half Marathon this Sunday, with thousands more coming out to cheer the runners on.

Transport for Greater Manchester is advising people that the Bee Network trams will be the best way to get around over the weekend.

Extra trams will be operating to provide as much capacity as possible.

Road closures and bus diversions will start on Saturday 3 October and continue until the actual race day on Sunday 4 October, lifting fully by 8.30pm.

Earlier this year, the Manchester Marathon led to a record-breaking day for Metrolink trams, with the highest number of passengers ever recorded on a single day in the network’s history.

Whether running or cheering, people are advised to use the Bee Network app to plan their journeys and are strongly encouraged not to drive within the affected areas.

Steve Gilholme, Head of Events at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The Manchester Half Marathon is another one of those special occasions where the people of Greater Manchester and beyond come together, with thousands of people taking on the challenge and raising money for good causes, while many more will line the route to cheer them on.

“This does mean the city centre and especially trams will be incredibly busy so please plan ahead and give yourself extra time to make journeys.

“The Bee Network app and website will be the best places to get the latest travel information and tap and go contactless payments are the quickest and easiest way to pay.”

You can see all the road closures for the Manchester Half Marathon HERE.

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Featured image: Manchester Half