Parklife to cause heavy congestion and M60 exit slip roads to be shut

National Highways has warned of likely delays, especially on the M60, due to a series of high-profile events taking place from Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15. The annual Parklife festival returns to Heaton Park on Saturday and Sunday, while a concert by Catfish and the Bottlemen, supported by James, will be held at the same venue on Friday night. Other major events in the city include Lionel Richie and Chris Brown performing at Co-op Live Arena and Soccer Aid at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

National Highways has activated plans to manage the expected increase in traffic and minimise disruption for drivers. Gary Farrell, National Highways' senior network planner, said: "This weekend is the first in a busy summer around the M60 with sold-out Oasis concerts taking place over five nights in July and we're advising drivers to get into the habit of checking traffic conditions before setting out on journeys." Working alongside Greater Manchester Police and Transport for Greater Manchester, National Highways has put long-standing procedures in place for managing traffic during Parklife and other events at Heaton Park.

Some overnight roadworks have been suspended, and extra traffic officer patrols will be stationed at key points on the motorway network. Congestion on the M60 is expected to be especially heavy from around 9pm each night as crowds leave Parklife, potentially lasting into the early hours. To help manage traffic, the exit slip roads at junction 19 of the M60 (Middleton/Heaton Park) will be closed from 7pm to 2am on both Saturday and Sunday.

All event traffic will be directed to use the clockwise exit slip road at junction 20 (Blackley). The hard shoulder around junction 19 will also be closed at times to prevent illegal use. National Highways has issued a reminder that it is both illegal and dangerous to use the motorway to drop off or pick up concert-goers, hitch a lift, or take a shortcut.

Dedicated pick-up and drop-off arrangements are in place off the motorway network. A full guide to travel options for the weekend's events, including bus services and the designated Parklife pick-up zone at Heaton Park Road Sainsbury's, is available on Transport for Greater Manchester's Parklife website. More: Restaurant set to close for weekend due to 'cancellations caused by Parklife'[1]

More: Popeyes giving away 10,000 Cajun hash browns for Parklife - here's how to get one[2] Mr Farrell said: "This weekend is the first in a busy summer around the M60 with sold-out Oasis concerts taking place over five nights in July and we're advising drivers to get into the habit of checking traffic conditions before setting out on journeys." National Highways provides real-time traffic updates through its website, radio bulletins, electronic road signs, and mobile apps.

Drivers can also follow @highwaysNWEST on social media for the latest information.

Those who are able to do so safely can call the National Highways information line on 0300 123 5000 for live road condition updates.

Full details of events, travel advice, and alternative routes can be found on the National Highways website.

References

1. ^ Restaurant set to close for weekend due to 'cancellations caused by Parklife' (www.burytimes.co.uk)
2. ^ Popeyes giving away 10,000 Cajun hash browns for Parklife - here's how to get one (www.burytimes.co.uk)