Second week of travel mayhem in Manchester as tram strikes disrupt thousands of Parklife, The Weeknd and The Courteeners fans

A second weekend of travel mayhem is set to hit Manchester as tram strikes cause huge disruption to thousands flocking to the Parklife festival, The Weeknd and The Courteeners gigs and Soccer Aid at Old Trafford.

Strikes on the Metrolink network this weekend will result in no services at all running across the region. Tickets will also not be accepted on local buses. The Unite union, who represent Metrolink drivers and staff, are to walkout on Saturday June 10 and Sunday June 11.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have urged people travelling to the region to consider cycling or walking for local journeys instead on what is set to be a hectic weekend of gigs and packed out events in the sunshine.

The lack of public transport running is set to cause ‘significant congestion’ at all times of the day, particularly in the city centre and close to major event venues such as the Etihad, Heaton Park, AO Arena and Old Trafford with Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield, Oxford Road and Victoria stations all expected to see an increase in traffic flow.

In the last year the UK has been hit with a historical number of industrial action from NHS workers to postal workers, teachers and public transport.

The latest wave of strikes comes just as 40,000 fans head into Heaton Park for Manchester band the Courteeners gig on Friday night, June 9.The popular group play the night before over 80,000 attend the annual Parklife Festival.

The Weeknd will also perform his After Hours Til Dawn tour at the Etihad Stadium on June 10. Fans going to watch the concert are advised to walk to the stadium from Piccadilly Gardens. And on the same night, June 10, Roger Waters will perform to a sold-out crowd of over 20,000 at the AO Arena before Soccer Aid will take place at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday, June 11.

For Parklife ticket holders travelling to Heaton Park, the shuttle bus service will still operate from Aytoun Street. The festival will run on June 10 and 11.

Normal service will resume at 6am on Monday (June 12).

Full details about travel advice for each event are available on the Transport for Greater Manchester website.