Manchester buses disrupted for seventh day as Roma fans march along Deansgate

Buses were due to resume their usual routes on Wednesday 4 November after seven days of disruption in Manchester city centre. The Bee Network confirmed that emergency repairs it described as ‘extensive’ had been completed.

On Tuesday 3 November, passengers faced queues stretching along Princess Street and Oxford Road while thousands of Roma supporters marched through the centre.

Bus diversions and queues

A water pipe burst on Wednesday 28 October led to closures at Piccadilly Gardens and Portland Street. Dozens of services normally using Piccadilly Gardens had to take alternative routes. Commuters reported long journeys home as the closures continued into a seventh day.

Alison Chew, TfGM’s Director of Bus, acknowledged the disruption passengers had faced during the repairs and thanked them for their patience.

Tram services from Altrincham, the Trafford Centre and East Didsbury had resumed on Sunday 1 November. Their suspension had added to transport disruption the previous week.

Supporters march through the centre

Thousands of Roma fans walked from Shambles Square along Deansgate before their team’s 8pm match against Manchester United on Tuesday 3 November.

Dozens of Greater Manchester Police officers marshalled the supporters, with a rolling roadblock accompanying the march. Fans waved flags and scarves as they moved along Deansgate.

Westbound traffic on the Mancunian Way was also gridlocked during the rush hour. The city’s Christmas markets are scheduled to open on Friday 6 November.