If you plan to catch a bus in Manchester city centre tonight, expect a slower journey. Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens bus station remain closed to all traffic, and several Bee Network routes are on diversion while crews repair a burst water main.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is working with Manchester City Council and United Utilities to reopen the road as quickly as possible. Customer service teams and TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers are out in the city centre to help passengers.
What you need to know before you travel
TfGM has set up a dedicated travel advice webpage that lists the affected Bee Network bus services, where they divert to and from, and alternative boarding points. TfGM updates it regularly. In summary:
Allow plenty of time as the city centre will be busier than normal.
Piccadilly Gardens bus station: No buses will operate from here, and diversions are in place at Portland Street. If you normally board at Piccadilly Gardens, check the website for your temporary stop.
The services affected are: 15, 18, 30, 33, 38, 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 43, 50, 85, 85A, 86, 87, 101, 103, 111, 142, 143, 191, 197, 250, 255, 256, 263, Free bus 1 and Free bus 2
Trams: Services to Bury, Rochdale and Ashton continue to run as normal from Piccadilly Gardens.
Metrolink replacement buses: Express bus shuttle services for the closed Metrolink lines leave from the usual pick-up points on Whitworth Street and Aytoun Street.
Match and concert crowds
Anyone heading in or out of the centre later today should leave extra time and check before setting off. That includes fans going to the Manchester City v Brighton match at the Etihad Stadium and to the J. Cole concert at Co-op Live this evening.
Alison Chew, TfGM’s Network Director for Bus, said: “We know these diversions are making journeys more difficult, and we’re working hard to help people get home and move around the city centre this evening.” She added that United Utilities is working to fix the leak and reopen the road, but that TfGM expects disruption to continue throughout the evening.
