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Tuesday, 04 August 2009Changes to Metrolink for sports fans heading to Old Trafford
Sports fans are being advised that they will not be able to use Manchester's Metrolink trams to attend fixtures at Old Trafford during August.
GMPTE is advising any fans planning to attend fixtures at Manchester United Football Club or Lancashire County Cricket Club this month to allow extra time for their journeys because of changes to Metrolink services.
All city centre Metrolink tram services are currently suspended until November 2 as part of a multi-million pound track replacement project, and trams on the Altrincham and Eccles lines will not be running until September 1 due to essential maintenance and engineering work.
As a result, fans will not be able to use the trams to travel to matches or events at Old Trafford during August.
Special matchday buses will be running from Fairfield Street (outside Manchester Piccadilly station) and Portland Street (opposite the Ibis Hotel) in the city centre at least two hours before football games start. Return journeys will run from Chester Road and Warwick Road.
Metrolink tickets will be valid on these services but tickets can also be bought on board the buses for £2. Walking routes will also be signposted.
Bury services will continue to run into Manchester Victoria. Fans arriving at Victoria can use special bus link services to Manchester Piccadilly to connect with the matchday buses.
The following fixtures will be affected:
August 5: Manchester United v Valencia (pre-season friendly)
August 16: Manchester United v Birmingham (Premier League)
August 29: Manchester United v Arsenal (Premier League)
August 30: England v Australia (International Twenty20)
More information about local public transport services is available from Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. (Calls from landlines cost 10p per minute. Mobile and landline networks may charge additional tariff costs.) Lines are open from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm at weekends.
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