Parklife 2023: alternative ways of getting to festival as Metrolink trams cancelled due to strike action

Parklife Festival is back this weekend, and thousands of music fans will descend on Heaton Park. acts such as Aitch and The 1975 will take to the stage across the weekend. 

Festival goers are however set to be impacted by industrial action on Manchester’s Metrolink tram system. No services will be running on either Saturday June 10 or Sunday June 11- both days of the event. 

The Metrolink drivers strike is set to end at 6am on Monday June 12. This means anyone needing to get around the city first thing on Monday will experience some delays still. 

Transport for Greater Manchester are therefore warning people heading to the festival to plan ahead. If you were planning on using the tram to get to Parklife, alternative travel arrangements will now be required. 

Bus 

According to TfGM, buses are a good alternative option- however they are expected to be busy. This is due to increased traffic on the roads of the city as a result of the strike. 

The number 59 and number 156 bus stop at Heaton Park and leave from Manchester city centre. The buses will be running on both Saturday and Sunday, but pre-planning is recommended. To plan your bus route visit the TfGM bus site.

Cycle

TfGM are also urging people to consider if they can walk or cycle to Heaton Park this weekend. For reference, the park is around a 25 minute bike ride from Manchester Cathedral. 

Bikes can be rented from many stops across Greater Manchester. To find out more about how and where you can get them, visit the TfGM Bee Active site. 

Walking

This option may not be open to everyone, but walking would be a good way to avoid the congestion and get some fresh air whilst you’re at it. Heaton Park is about 4.5 miles away from Manchester Piccadilly, so walking may only be a good option if you live slightly closer to the park.