Pop-up Park and Ride sites will open this the weekend around Greater Manchester, aimed at making it easier for people driving into Manchester city centre and travelling to big music and football events taking place.
It is set to be the busiest weekend of the year with the Christmas Markets still in full swing, while Paul McCartney plays Co-op Live and Manchester City face Manchester United in the Premier League. The AO Arena also hosts five showings of the Disney on Ice over the weekend.
With thousands expected to flock to the city centre and Etihad Campus, people are being encouraged to dodge the congestion and use public transport where possible, and the arrangements also include a bespoke shuttle bus service that will take Paul McCartney fans to and from Co-op Live on Sunday.
On Saturday (14 December) Booth Street West Car Park D (M15 6PD) will be free for customers travelling on to the city centre by bus. Access is via Higher Cambridge Street. A valid ticket must be shown on entry via the Bee Network app.
Once parked up, customers will have just a five-minute walk to Oxford Road, where they can catch any bus to the city centre with a pre-purchased ticket from the app. The nearest stop is University Shopping Centre Stop C.
On Sunday (15 December) the same car park will be free for people with tickets for the Paul McCartney gig at Co-op Live. This must be shown on entry. A dedicated shuttle bus will then take concertgoers from the car park to the Etihad Campus, where the venue is based.
There will be 965 parking spaces available at Booth Street West Car Park D on both days.
Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground (Talbot Road, Stretford M16 0PX) will also have parking available for Metrolink customers on Sunday. People will need to show a valid Metrolink ticket to staff for onward travel to the city centre, Etihad or Co-op Live. There are 500 spaces available.
(Picture – TfGM)
