1.2 million journeys were made into the city centre over the weekend – and at times it meant for utter gridlock for road users.
Motorists, revellers and shoppers have hit out over traffic gridlock in Manchester city centre over the weekend as the festive season gets into full swing. Although it was seasons BEEPINGS as frustrated drivers honked their horns after getting stuck in massive tailbacks through the city centre on Saturday night.
Some took to social media fuming that “the whole of town is now a car park” amid chaotic scenes of traffic jammed along major routes of the city centre including Princess Street, John Dalton Street, Deansgate, Quay Street and Bridge Street on Saturday night.
Thousands of people hit the city centre amid the return of the Manchester Christmas Markets on what was the busiest day yet for the festive extravaganza on Saturday. But that put extra pressure on the roads of the city, with yellow Bee Network buses seen back to back trying to get through the jams alongside beeping motorists.
The city’s free buses were also seen changing their routes in a bid to avoid the worst of the gridlock, sparking confusion among passengers. Transport bosses have confirmed there was no significant incidents on the roads, saying the congestion was simply due to “sheer volume of people” in the city centre.
Many have hit out at the changes to the road system in the city centre in recent months, which has seen Deansgate become almost entirely one way for traffic. The changes were made by Manchester Council earlier this year in a bid to make the city centre more cycle-friendly and safer for pedestrians.
The vision is for “fewer cars and cleaner air” in the congested city centre. But it’s a vision some are struggling to understand when it has left cars in massive tailbacks at peak times.
Stuart Hamnett shared a video of the gridlock on X on Saturday night. With it, he said: “I’m puzzled as to why they have turned Deansgate into a car park. One lane for cars and loads of room for bikes. I’m not anti cycling but this seems crazy.” He added: “Town is now effectively a car park.”
His post received a number of replies, including James M who said: “It’s a disgrace, so short sighted. Apart from people who are absolutely dedicated to cycling or Uber eats, no one is commuting on a bike around Manchester nov-march.”
Davescounty said he’s stopped going into the city centre due to the traffic chaos. He shared: “The traffic is even worse after they change it one way, I’ve stopped working in Manchester not worth it, 2 hrs picking my wife up from a night out last Christmas as Uber kept cancelling her taxi not been back in Manchester since, I’ve started clothes shopping in Flannels in Denton.”
Heather Green said: “Deansgate has been crazy since lockdown when they first messed with the roads. Manchester city is a nightmare for car drivers. Public transport isn’t for everyone, due to disabilities seen and unseen.”
Although Stephen Lake took the opposite view, saying: “All of those cars will have 1 person in them. That’s the problem. Ban all private vehicles from the city centre.”
Transport bosses have confirmed that 1.2million journeys were made to and from Manchester city centre over the weekend. They are urging people planning trips over the coming weeks and weekends to consider public transport options if possible.
They have also warned that anyone who does choose to drive into the city centre “should be aware there may be significant delays entering and leaving car parks in the city centre.”
Manchester Council is also taking steps to keep the city moving, it says. This includes temporary weekend parking restrictions on Swan Street and Liverpool Street, weekend closures inbound on Corporation Street to reduce congestion around Shudehill, and a no right turn from the Arndale car park to ease congestion on Withy Grove.
Changes were made to the Arndale car park after users reported getting stuck in hour-long queues to get out last Saturday night, November 15, as reported in the MEN last week.
They say dynamic traffic management is also being coordinated by TfGM, GMP and Manchester Council which “allows routes to be diverted or shut if this would be beneficial”.
TfGM have also pointed to four new pop-up park and rides that have launched this weekend. The sites offer 1,000 free parking and dedicated buses to Manchester city centre every Saturday and Sunday now until 21 December.
The pop-up park and rides are located at Booth Street West, Central Park, Belle Vue and Irwell Place.
There are also 24 permanent park and ride sites across Greater Manchester where people can park for free and get on the tram – with all the locations and latest tram times available in the Bee Network app.
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “The countdown to Christmas in now well under way and we are seeing huge numbers of people heading into Manchester city centre to enjoy everything it has to offer, including the ever-popular Christmas markets. It’s brilliant to see so many people supporting the city’s businesses and night time economy.“Together with our partners, we will continue to do everything we can to keep the city moving. We’re strongly encouraging people to use the Bee Network for all or part of their journey during this very busy festive period, and plan ahead their journey into centre.”
We have asked Manchester Council for further comment on the congestion at the weekend and are awaiting reply.
