Transport bosses are urging Manchester football fans heading to Wembley for the FA Cup final on Saturday to use separate routes and motorway service stations in order to minimise disruption. This is due to fears of major congestion and a planned train strike. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has advised City supporters to travel via the M62 and M1; M6 and M1; or M6, M6 Toll and M1, while United fans are urged to travel on the M6, M42 and M40. Particular motorway service stations have also been suggested for each club. However, there are no plans to officially enforce the guidance.
The AA has warned that service stations are likely to be incredibly busy on Saturday and advised non-football fans to consider taking a break off the motorway network, such as at a local town or village. A park-and-walk facility will be available at Fryent Country Park near Wembley for drivers while the Football Association has also laid on 120 coaches in addition to those provided by each club. AA public relations manager Tony Rich said: “The best mode of travel for football fans will be the official coaches and the extra coaches put on by the FA.”
TfGM has previously warned people travelling to Greater Manchester on Saturday to plan ahead as it prepares for “the busiest day on the transport network so far”. Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Sir Elton John all play in the area on Saturday and it will also be the first day of the free We Invented The Weekend festival in Salford.
Transport bosses are urging Manchester football fans heading to Wembley for the FA Cup final on Saturday to use separate routes and motorway service stations in order to minimise disruption. Fears of major congestion and a planned train strike have led Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to advise City supporters to travel via the M62 and M1; M6 and M1; or M6, M6 Toll and M1, while United fans are urged to travel on the M6, M42 and M40. Particular motorway service stations have also been suggested for each club, although there are no plans to officially enforce the guidance.
The AA has warned that service stations are likely to be incredibly busy on Saturday and advised non-football fans to consider taking a break off the motorway network, such as at a local town or village. A park-and-walk facility will be available at Fryent Country Park near Wembley for drivers while the Football Association has also laid on 120 coaches in addition to those provided by each club. AA public relations manager Tony Rich said: “The best mode of travel for football fans will be the official coaches and the extra coaches put on by the FA.”
TfGM has previously warned people travelling to Greater Manchester on Saturday to plan ahead as it prepares for “the busiest day on the transport network so far”. Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Sir Elton John all play in the area on Saturday and it will also be the first day of the free We Invented The Weekend festival in Salford. TfGM has even suggested that people “may want to consider making a weekend of it in London”. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk