A train operator has issued a 'do not travel' warning ahead of a huge weekend for music gigs in Manchester.
Thousands of gig-goers are set to descend on the city from tonight (Thursday), with Ed Sheeran kicking off his four-night residency at the Etihad Stadium. The series of sold-out shows will then continue until the end of the week.
Parklife will also take place at Heaton Park over the weekend with headliners 50 Cent, Tyler, The Creator, Megan Thee Stallion and Lewis Capaldi all set to make appearances at the North’s biggest music festival. Stadium rock giants The Killers will perform at Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Saturday, while Alicia Keys will be headlining the AO Arena on Saturday night.
Though general advice has been issued urging people to plan ahead when travelling this weekend, TransPennine Express has warned customers not to travel with the operator at all on Sunday due to ongoing strike action.
We have rounded up the latest travel advice from train operators in our region below, as well as the general advice for people travelling from Manchester Piccadilly station.
TransPennine Express
Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director at TransPennine Express, said: "Ongoing industrial relations issues mean we will only be able to operate a small percentage of our usual services on Sunday, and we’re asking our customers to seek alternative methods of travel.
"We don’t issue ‘do not travel’ advice lightly, but we have to be realistic and need our customers to understand the difficulties they will face if they try to travel by rail on Sunday. We’re really sorry for any disruption to people’s plans. I’m now calling on our customers to look carefully at their journey options, particularly for travel after the events as we simply will not have capacity to get people where they need to be."
Northern
Chris Jackson, regional director for Northern, said: “We know our late night services are going to be extremely busy this weekend – so would encourage customers to plan ahead for how they’re going to get home. Our staff will do everything they can to help – and I would ask for our passengers' support by being patient and following the instructions provided by station staff on the night.”
Avanti West Coast
Heather Hodkinson, Avanti West Coast station manager at Manchester Piccadilly, said: "With major events taking place on our route this weekend, we strongly advise those making journeys to and from Manchester to plan ahead, and check before they travel. We’re here to help and want everyone to have a great time, so please be considerate of our colleagues and other customers."
Network Rail at Manchester Piccadilly
Scott Green, Network Rail station manager at Manchester Piccadilly, said: "While it’s great such huge events are back in Manchester and stations are getting busier it’s also resulted in a recent rise in staff being assaulted. I understand it can be frustrating when there are delays or when it’s busy, but this is not an excuse for tempers to flare and we won’t tolerate any abuse towards our staff.
"I’d urge everyone to plan their journey in advance and follow the advice of their train operator so they know exactly what to expect this weekend, so passengers and staff alike don’t have to face any unacceptable behaviour.”
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