Travel warnings, road closures and advice issued ahead of Manchester Marathon
The Manchester Marathon covers over 26.2 miles of the city centre and surrounding areas, so it's worth knowing how you're going to get about this Sunday.
With the Manchester Marathon returning to the city and surrounding areas this weekend, Transport for Greater Manchester have issued a fresh batch of warnings and travel guidance for those coming into town on Sunday.
As well all know, the Marathon isn’t only a city centre event, it stretches out to various Greater Manchester boroughs, and with more than 28,000 runners taking part — not to mention upwards of 42,000 spectators expected to turn up too — it’s going to be a busy 24 hours or so.
The 26.2-mile route starts at White City Circle near the Trafford Arch and stretches across the city centre, Old Trafford, Stretford, Sale, Timperley, Altrincham, Chorlton and Hulme. The event really does take over the region.
With that in mind, there are set to be numerous road closures for prolonged periods throughout the day, as well impact on public transport, so it’s good to be prepared. Here’s what to expect.
As TfGM have reiterated, the transport network in central Manchester and Trafford will be very busy before, during and after the race.
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Furthermore, people are being advised to leave cars at home to avoid inevitable congestion on surrounding roads, or to at least use Greater Manchester’s park-and-ride services available at various Metrolink stations and travel to their destinations using the tram.
However, it goes without saying that the services will be extremely busy throughout the day, so, if you can travel flexibly, the predicted quietest time to travel is after 4pm.
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Metrolink have confirmed that they will be operating the Altrincham line every six minutes, with more double trams and increased capacity across the network where possible. You can see a full list of stops below:
Lucky for you, once you’ve tapped on and tapped off, most fan corners, cheer zones and regular spots for supporters to gather together should only be a short walk away from your chosen tram stop.
Now, as for buses, many local services will be running along diverted routes throughout the day and even those not directly impacted by the marathon’s road closures could still be affected by displaced traffic, so it’s worth double-checking your usual number and any adjusted stops on race day.
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The last road closure is expected to be re-opened at 8pm through Chorlton and Old Trafford towards the end of the course, although a portion of Talbot Road will be closed all weekend and won’t re-open until midnight on Sunday.
Thankfully, the wonderful organisers have you covered; you can see the full list of closures HERE and they have even put together an interactive map for you to check what roads are shut and when:
Sean Dyball, TfGM’s Head of Customer Experience, said: “We are looking forward to helping thousands of runners and spectators to get to the Manchester Marathon this weekend, and we’re wishing runners the best of luck for Sunday.”
Last but not least, for plenty more useful travel advice for competitors, spectators and everyone else alike arriving in the area this weekend, just simply check out the TfGM website.
Other than that, all that’s left to do is wish the runners all the best of luck for the 2023 Manchester Marathon and we hope that everyone turning up to cheer them on has a wonderful day and gets from A to B with as little hassle as possible.
Featured Image — Manchester Marathon/David Dixon (via Geograph)
News
Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order
Daisy Jackson
The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.
Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.
He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.
On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.
Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.
She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.
The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.
The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.
Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.
Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.
Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.
“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.
“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.
In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.
“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.
“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.
“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!
10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder
Emily Sergeant
Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.
The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.
Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.
As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.
#ARREST | Earlier today we arrested 10 suspects in relation to violence that occurred the day before a game involving Manchester United and FC Twente.
Violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, will not be tolerated.
On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.
With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.
Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.
Danny Jones -
15th April 2023 
