Parklife festival Bee Network, Metrolink and M60 travel warning with Co-op Live and AO Arena events also on

Parklife festival-goers have been issued with a travel warning ahead of a busy weekend.   

Tens of thousands of music fans will descend on Heaton Park on Saturday and Sunday to catch top acts including Becky Hill, Disclosure and Doja Cat.  

It’s not the only major event happening in and around Manchester this weekend though with  the Eagles and Pet Shop Boys playing Co-op Live, and comedian Romesh Ranganathan performing at the AO Arena. The final stage of the Women’s Tour of Britain also takes place across Greater Manchester on Sunday.

Transport for Greater Manchester is therefore urging people to use public transport where possible and plan ahead including using the new Parklife travel ticket. 

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “Parklife 2024 is sure to be another fantastic weekend for music fans and we want to make sure everyone gets to and from the festival as easily and safely as possible.  I would encourage people to download the Bee Network app and pre-purchase an exclusive Parklife travel ticket to ensure they are ready for the event. 

 “It will be a really busy day on the transport network, so whether you’re going to Parklife or heading off elsewhere remember to plan ahead, allow yourself plenty of time and check for travel updates on the Bee Network app.”  

What is the Parklife travel ticket for trams and buses? 

The new Parklife travel ticket, available on the Bee Network app, covers tram and shuttlebus travel from the city centre with one ticket. It’s priced £5.50 for one day or £11 for a weekend ticket. 

Festivalgoers can travel on the tram from any of the city centre stops (Zone 1) to Heaton Park and Bowker Vale. Services will operate every six minutes from the city centre, with both stops just a few minutes away from the festival gates. People will need to use Bowker Vale to get back to the city centre after the event as the Heaton Park stop will be closed for safety reasons.  

Shuttle buses will also run between Aytoun Street, in Manchester city centre, and Heaton Park. The first bus will depart at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. The last bus will depart at 4.30pm on both days. Buses will run back into Manchester from the early evening until the site is clear. 

What about driving to Parklife?

National Highways is warning drivers that congestion is likely around the local motorway network. Congestion along the M60 is expected when concert goers are leaving Parklife each night from around 9pm onwards, potentially into the early hours.  As in previous years, the exit slip roads at junction 19 of the M60 for Middleton/Heaton Park will be closed between 7pm and 2am on Saturday and Sunday.   All queueing traffic for the event will be restricted to the clockwise exit slip road at Junction 20 at Blackley. The motorway hard shoulder around junction 19 will also be closed off at times to prevent illegal use.