Manchester city centre experienced another evening of gridlock on November 3 as bus disruption continued for a seventh day and thousands of travelling football fans took over Deansgate.
Commuters reported lengthy journeys home as Piccadilly Gardens and Portland Street remained shut following a burst water pipe in the area on October 28. Dozens of bus services that normally operate from Piccadilly Gardens were forced to divert, with long queues at bus stops trailing down Princess Street and Oxford Road.
Bus and tram services affected
The disruption had previously been worsened by the suspension of tram services from Altrincham, the Trafford Centre and East Didsbury, but those services were reinstated on November 1. Bus services are set to return to normal on November 4 after the Bee Network confirmed that 'extensive' emergency repairs are now complete.
The Mancunian Way inner ring road remained gridlocked in the westbound direction at rush hour, with concerns that congestion could worsen as the Christmas markets open on November 6.
Police marshal Roma fans
Greater Manchester Police managed several thousand AS Roma fans who had arrived in the city ahead of their 8pm clash with Manchester United. The fans, wrapped in coats and hats, were in strident voice waving scarves and flags as they made their way down Deansgate, kept in by a tight neon line of police.
Alison Chew, TfGM's Director of Bus, said the organisation is "pleased" buses will return to their usual routes on Wednesday. She said: "We know the diversions over the past week have caused disruption to passengers, and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding while the necessary repairs were completed."
She added: "We also want to thank our teams who have been out in the city centre throughout the week, working hard to keep people moving during the closures."
