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Manchester Arena bomb: Police clarify transport situation across Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Police have sought to clarify the transport situation in the wake of last night’s terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena.

[dropcap=”circle”]Greater Manchester Police have sought to clarify the transport situation in the wake of last night’s terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena.

Twenty two people are so far confirmed to be dead and 59 injured after a suspected suicide bomber detonated a device as people were leaving the venue after an Ariana Grande concert.

GMP have posted the following advice for people attempting to travel in Greater Manchester this morning.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Victoria Station will be closed for at least 24 hours, which means that services on the Bury and Rochdale via Oldham lines are operating a reduced route until further notice.

Services on the Bury line will stop at Queens Road while those on the Rochdale via Oldham line will finish at Monsall. There is ticket acceptance by bus operators Stagecoach and First on bus services on the Bury, Rochdale Metrolink lines.

Ten buses are scheduled to operate from Central Park as Metrolink replacement services and seven buses scheduled to operate from Queens Road to Piccadilly Gardens.

Services that operate south of the city centre are also affected, with the Airport line running to Deansgate, the Eccles service running all day via MediaCityUK to Ashton, Altrincham running to the Etihad Campus or Piccadilly and East Didsbury service redirected to Piccadilly.

Further information will be communicated throughout the day as more information becomes available. Customers are advised to check the Metrolink website or follow @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for updates.

Bus

No bus services are operating out of Shudehill. All services are terminating short of the Interchange. Mega bus services diverted to Stevenson Square. Metroshuttle services – service 1 operating but with diversions, service 2 not operating, service 3 normal route.

All school bus services are running as normal. A full list of affected services is available on the TfGM website.

Rail

Manchester Victoria is closed to all rail traffic; as such rail services will not be calling at Victoria. Piccadilly station remains open as usual. All rail passengers are advised to check National Rail Enquiries before travelling.

Roads

Roads are expected to be busier than usual. There is limited access to the city centre from the north of Manchester with good access from the south of Manchester. There is limited access on Manchester Inner Ring Road from the north – including Trinity Way and closures will restrict access for the next 24 hours with no access to Shudehill, Victoria Station and the immediate area around the Manchester Arena.

Non-signposted diversions will be in place as a result of the incident meaning congestion and delays are likely. TfGM will be adjusting signal timings where possible to reduce congestion.

In addition there is also a fire on Ashton Old Road at the junction of Fairfield Road and Ogden Lane which is likely to cause ongoing delays.

Drivers are encouraged to consider other means of travelling into Manchester City centre, including the Park & Ride facilities at Sale, Ashton West, and Ashton Moss Metrolink stops.

Pic: Darryl Morris

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