John Fryer, Events Manager for TfGM writes
Important Information: Permanent changes and upcoming roadworks
Manchester city centre
I am writing to share with you important information about how key investment schemes in Greater Manchester’s future economic prosperity might have a short-term impact on journey times in the city centre over the next few weeks. We will be encouraging people to consider their own journey plans – re-time, re-route, re-mode – to reduce the effects of congestion.
Journey times for drivers and bus passengers are likely to be adversely affected throughout January and into February, particularly at the peak travelling times and especially in the evening.
Your help in distributing this information is greatly appreciated.
Network Rail’s Ordsall Chord investment – Sunday 18 December to Monday 2 January
Network Rail is carrying out engineering works over the Christmas period on part of the rail network that serves Manchester city centre stations.
It is the latest phase of their £1 billion investment locally, which includes the Ordsall Chord rail link between Manchester’s Victoria and Piccadilly stations, opening up network capacity and supporting the regional economy.
The work will take place between Sunday 18 December and Monday 2 January and will affect many train services which run to or through Manchester Victoria, Oxford Road and Piccadilly stations.
The work includes removing and replacing the bridge at Water Street, strengthening the Castlefield viaduct, laying new track and realigning existing track as well as adding overhead line equipment and signals.
Roads around where the rail work is taking place – Trinity Way, Water Street, Liverpool Road – will be affected by local diversions.
Network Rail has planned the work so it results in minimal disruption over what is traditionally a quieter time of the year for commuter journeys.
We have created a journey planning page on our website to help people stay on the move during the works which can be found here: www.tfgm.com/ordsall-chord
For more information about the work itself, the Network Rail website has more information at www.networkrail.co.uk/ordsallchord
The transformation of the Oxford Road corridor – Wednesday 4 January to Sunday 8 January
Our work to transform one of Europe’s busiest bus corridors, Oxford Road, is nearing completion, however, more work is required in early 2017 to finish off this major project.
From Wednesday 4 January through to Sunday 8 January, inclusive, further resurfacing of the corridor will require it to be closed from the junction of Booth Street up to just south of the Charles Street junction. This closure will ensure that work can be carried out safely and efficiently. This will mostly affect local traffic due to the operational bus gate now in place between Hathersage Road and Denmark Road.
While east to west crossings of the corridor will still be possible along Booth Street there will likely be a knock-on effect on surrounding roads.
Our delivery partners at Manchester City Council are writing to neighbouring properties advising them of the upcoming work. A copy of this letter is attached.
More information about TfGM’s transformation of the Oxford Road corridor can be found at tfgm.com/oxfordroad
Redevelopment of the former BBC site on Oxford Road – Monday 9 January to Sunday 12 February
Following completion of TfGM’s resurfacing work on Oxford Road, Bruntwood’s redevelopment of the former BBC site, or Circle Square as it’s now known, will require the full closure of Brook Street – between Upper Brook Street and Princess Street – in order to carry out essential utility connections.
This closure will come into effect from Monday 9 January through to Sunday 12 February, inclusive.
We are working with Manchester City Council to help drivers avoid congestion in the area, including the provision of travel advice.
We have put the travel advice on our website at tfgm.com/city-centre-works and would advise anyone who regularly uses this route to familiarise themselves with the work in advance. Manchester City Council’s highway team will be signposting a diversion route for drivers but we would expect the area to busier than usual for much of the four weeks.
Metrolink’s Second City Crossing and new traffic priorities – Sunday 8 January
Our own work to add the Metrolink Second City Crossing is nearing completion and from 8 January, there will be permanent changes to city centre roads to ensure trams, buses, cars and bikes can share the space with each other. The changes mostly affect Princess Street and Cross Street.
While drivers will be used to restrictions and diversions imposed during the construction of the tram tracks, the introduction of new and permanent changes in the city as well as the closure of Brook Street for work could combine to exacerbate congestion on already-busy routes, especially as both occur around the same time.
We have put more information about what’s happening on our website at tfgm.com/city-centre-works.
Plan ahead and know your travel options
We are working with the city council and the developers to raise awareness of the potential for increased journey times as we expect them to take longer than they usually would.
Our message for those travelling back into the city after the festive break is to be aware of changes and to reduce the risk of being affected by congestion by planning ahead. Roads around the locations where work is taking place will be busier and journey times will be impacted so we’re urging people to allow more time for their journey and to explore alternative routes and modes of travel.
We will be holding the travel information on our website at tfgm.com/city-centre-works.
