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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Danny Jones -
15th April 2023 
