Manchester Half Marathon 2022: road closures and disruptions to bus services - full list of travel advice

The Manchester Half Marathon takes place this weekend with an expected 15,000 runners taking on 13.1 mile challenge - which this year has a brand new route.

But as the race draws closer, so comes a number of road closures and travel disruptions to occur over the weekend in the city, alongside rail strikes that will be occurring on October 8 2022.

Transport for Greater Manchester has advised drivers to avoid driving through areas where the race is taking place on the day, if possible.

The transport body suggests allowing extra time for your journey and to consider walking or cycling for shorter trips if you can as it may be quicker.

Transport for Greater Manchester Head of Customer Experience, Sean Dyball, said: “We’re wishing runners the best of luck for Sunday, and to help get runners and spectators to the event, we will be increasing capacity on Metrolink by running as many double trams as possible and adjusting frequencies on the day to provide the best service we can.”

“To avoid congestion from the road closures and for a more enjoyable journey, consider jumping on the tram and using contactless for a fast and efficient way to pay. We are also encouraging people to use one of TfGM’s Park and Ride sites - where you can park for free and complete your journey on the tram to the race line.

What is the travel advice issued ahead of the Manchester Half Marathon?

Bus services

Transport for Great Manchester has advised that a number of bus services will be diverted from the start of service until approximately 6pm.

Metrolink trams

Metrolink will be operating a six-minute double service on the Altrincham line to get people to the start line, and home after the race.

The starting point will be on Chester Road, near Trafford Bar tram stop, with the finish line on Talbot Road, a quick walk from Old Trafford tram stop.

Manchester Half Marathon parking

TFGM has warned of a number of road closures (below) and advises those driving to the race to use the park and rides at Metrolink stations which can be found here.

Manchester Half Marathon 2022 road closures

Roads in Old Trafford, Stretford, Chorlton, Hulme and Manchester city centre will have closures in place until the evening.

Here’s the full list of road closures

The A56

The A56 Southbound will be closed:

• 04:00 – 11:30 Bridgewater Way to White City Way
• 05:00 – 11:30 White City Way to Edge Lane
• 08:30 – 13:30 Edge Lane to Dane Road
• 08.30 – 12.00 Dane Road to Raglan Road

The A56 Northbound will be closed:

• 05:00 – 11:30 Edge Lane to White City Way
• 08:30 – 11:30 Glebelands Road to Edge Lane

If you need to use the A56 Southbound, use the outer diversion route, A5103 Princess Road (Princess Parkway) to avoid major disruption to your journey.

If you need to access the City during the northbound closure, use Harboro Road or Glebelands Road to access the A6144 Carrington Spur to access the M60 or Carrington Lane for non-motorway traffic to access Flixton and Urmston.

M60 Junction 7 

Fully Closed 07:00- 13:30, however access to the clockwise on slip road will be available from the northbound A56 from 11:30.

A5104 Chester Road 

06:00 – 11:30

Seymour Grove: 07:00 – 14:00 – see Area 11

Residents can move vehicles out of the area via Stretford Road or other side roads towards the City.

Gorse Hill Estate: 

05:00 – 11:30

Until 11:30 the only access and exit from the estate is via a temporary two way diversion between Thomas Street and Davyhulme Road East. From 11:30 access will be available on the A56 northbound and southbound onto Kingsway. Access further south on the A56 is not available until 13:30.

Gorse Hill: 

05:00 – 11:30

Exit from this area is split into two time periods.

• 05:00 – 08:45: You can leave this area via Talbot Road northbound, turning right onto Great Stone Road. You will then only be able to leave the area heading east towards Princess Road.
• 11:30 onwards: You will be able to access the A56 northbound, and southbound onto Kingsway only. Access further south on the A56 is not available until 13:30.

Residents wishing to use their cars between 08:45 and 11:30 should park vehicles in Area 2 to access the one way system onto Davyhulme Road East (see notes above).

A56 southbound side Thomas Street – Edge Lane including Bridgewater Street and Radnor Street: 

05:00 – 11:30

Until 08:15 egress will be available southbound only. From 11:30 you will be able to access the A56 northbound, and southbound onto Kingsway only. Access further south on the A56 is not available until 13:30.

Residents wishing to use their vehicles between 08:15 and 11:30 are advised to park on the opposite side of the A56 from where they can access the road network (Area A).

A56 northbound side, Bridgewater Canal – Kingsway: 

05:00 – 11:30

Kingsway – Glebelands Road: 08:30 – 11:30

If you need to access the City during the northbound closure, use Harboro Road or Glebelands Road to access the A6144 Carrington Spur to access the M60 or Carrington Lane for non-motorway traffic to access Flixton and Urmston.

A56 southbound side 

Edge Lane – Dane Road including Newton and Crossford Street: 08:30 – 13:30

Residents wishing to use their vehicles are advised to park on the opposite side of the A56 from where they can access the road network (Area A).

A56 southbound side Dane Road – Marsland Road: 08:30 – 12:00

The A56 southbound will be closed to all traffic from 08:30. If you live on one of the adjacent side roads and intend to use your vehicle during the event then you should park on the opposite side of the A56 (Area B) from where you will be able to access the road network.

Marsland Road: 08:00 – 12:30

Marsland Road between A56 and Derbyshire Road is closed from 08:00 to allow for barriers to be erected.

A56 northbound side 

Raglan Road – Glebelands Road: 08:00 – 11:30

The A56 northbound remains open as far as Glebelands Road during this time. If you need to access the City during the northbound closure, use Harboro Road or Glebelands Road to access the A6144 Carrington Spur to access the M60 or Carrington Lane for non-motorway traffic to access Flixton and Urmston.

Raglan Road and Walton Road: 

08.00 – 12:30

The A56 southbound is not accessible form this area. For the safety of the competitors, there can be no movement of vehicles on these roads. If you are going to need to use your vehicle during the closure then you are advised to park south of Raglan Road on Walton Road or on the west side of the A56.

Marsland, Derbyshire and Northenden Road: 

08:00 – 12:30

Until 09:00 you can exit the area on Northenden Road towards Sale Moor. If you wish to use your car during the closures you should park your car on an alternative road off the route from which you can exit the area.

Northenden Road: 

08:30 – 12:30

Broad Road: 

08:30 – 13:00

Temple Road: 

08:30 – 12:45

Dane Road: 

08:30 – 13:15

Whilst Broad Road and Dane Road will be closed, vehicles will be allowed to leave both and adjacent side roads in the direction of Old Hall Road up until around 09.00.

If you intend to use your vehicle during the closure please park on through roads on the south side of Broad Road (east of Clarendon Road)  or east of Temple Road on Dane Road, from which you will be able to access the road network.

Edge Lane – A56 to Wilbraham Road

08:30 – 13:15

Residents can exit the area prior to 08:45 via Edge Lane towards Didsbury. (No access towards the A56).

Wilbraham Road – Edge Lane to Albany Road

09:00 – 13:15

Barlow Moor Road and Manchester Road – Wilbraham Road to Seymour Grove

09:00 – 13:30

To use your car before 11:30 you will need to park on the south side of Wilbraham Road or the east side of Barlow Moor Road / Manchester Road. After 11:30 access is available onto the A56 northbound via Great Stone Road.

Seymour Grove – Manchester Road to Talbot Road 

07:00 – 14:00

Access available for businesses only until 08:15 with valid pass or work identification.

Until 08:45 residents can move vehicles out of the area via Seymour Grove southwards or Kings Road towards the City.

Talbot Road 

05:00 – 18:00

Talbot Road is closed from the A56 to Milton Road from 05:00 – 11:30. Please note that for race preparation Talbot Road will be closed between Great Stone Road and White City Way from 08:00 on Saturday 12th October through to 18:00 on Sunday 13th October.

Warwick Road

08:00 Saturday 12th October – 18:00 Sunday 13th October

When does the Manchester Half Marathon start?

The 2022 Half Marathon takes place on Sunday October 9 with the start and finish line both located in the Trafford area of Manchester. The wheelchair race sets off at 8.55am, followed by the elite athletes at 9am.