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Original poster

Anyone from Manchester around? How hellish would it be tomorrow?

48 replies

GuitarGeorgina · 15/12/2023 07:34

I need to visit family near Manchester tomorrow but can’t drive at the moment because of an injury.

I could come by train, but when I go to book tickets I get a pop up warning that the trains will be busier than usual because of the Christmas Market, and obviously a Saturday before Christmas would be busy anyway. I would be met from the station by a relative who would have to drive to get there.

is this perfectly feasible or madness? I would not be able to stand for the journey (2.5 hours) if the train was heaving, or to get public transport from the station.

I’ve not been on a train for many years and have only heard horror stories about packed carriages and people standing all the way, but maybe that’s related to train strikes.

OP posts:
Feliciacat · 15/12/2023 10:03

Just to warn people; Man City are playing at home tomorrow and Saturday December 23rd. I’d say to avoid town on Saturdays until the New Year.

NonSequentialRhubarb · 15/12/2023 10:57

RampantIvy · 15/12/2023 10:00

There's a train from Sheffield to Stockport,

Which is always horrifically crowded. Last time I took that train I did have a seat booked and managed to get to it. I had to get up early to fight my way to the door because I might not have been able to get off the train in time. The train was too short as well and they left half the passengers on the platform in Sheffield. TPE is a disgrace.

That's not my experience, having got it many times with a baby in a pram and not had any issues. But it's up to OP if she wants to try it, of course.

grass67 · 15/12/2023 11:10

Rochdale to stockport in a pain to drive though @NonSequentialRhubarb Its twice on the M60.

JamieKnows · 15/12/2023 11:32

You're going the wrong way OP.

Go to Birmingham new street and change there. Relatives pick you up at either Warrington or Wigan

grass67 · 15/12/2023 11:44

@JamieKnows Warrington to Rochdale 🤯 Opposite sides of Manchester!
And I mean Greater Manchester...it's HUGE.

JamieKnows · 15/12/2023 12:03

@grass67 it's literally a 5 minute longer drive to Wigan than it is to Piccadilly and a million fucking times easier

Depending on whereabouts they live it's potentially a shorter drive and the OP won't have to battle TPE from Sheffield or hoards of people going to the markets and the match. Not sure why your mind is blown tbh, it's the best solution 🤷🏽‍♀️

RampantIvy · 15/12/2023 12:46

The suggestion to go via Leeds looks like the best option. Change at Derby and Leeds.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 15/12/2023 12:50

It isn't 5 minutes at all. When you bear in mind this weekend is the last shopping weekend for many people because they'll be travelling next weekend I don't think it'll be easier either.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 15/12/2023 12:58

Tram from Piccadilly to Bury. It's the very first stop, so you will get a seat.

Alternatively, the drop off and 20min parking at Piccadilly is actually fine - H and I both use it to collect the other. I drive in and out of town on a Saturday at various times, and would say that as long as your train arrives before noon the traffic shouldn't be too bad. Manchester is a very popular weekend destination all year round - football, gigs, shopping etc - and I don't find Christmas weekends any worse than the rest. I would however avoid bringing a car inside the inner ring road after lunch on a Saturday though.

StillWantingADog · 15/12/2023 13:00

It won’t be that bad. What’s most likely to cause issues on the trains is general train issues/strikes not the Christmas market’s specifically
I don’t believe there are any strikes due this weekend but unfortunately that doesn’t guarantee a good service on the trains

Original poster
GuitarGeorgina · 15/12/2023 17:02

Thank you for all the advice. Lots of good ideas but I have confirmed with my family that I will not be going. Broken bones and potentially crowded trains or trams too daunting a prospect.

They would not entertain the suggestion of meeting me in Wigan or Warrington. They live about 45 minutes away (more at the speed they drive).

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 15/12/2023 17:08

I think you have made a very sensible decision @GuitarGeorgina. I hope you recover quickly.

ThelmaDinkley · 15/12/2023 17:14

I was going to suggest coach but seen you’ve cancelled. Hope you recover quickly.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 15/12/2023 17:38

GuitarGeorgina wishing you a speedy recovery!

JamieKnows · 15/12/2023 18:35

I think it's sensible to stay home. But yes, it is only 5 minutes more to Wigan. Right now even on a Friday evening.

I've driven both often and google agrees 🤷🏽‍♀️🤣

Anyone from Manchester around? How hellish would it be tomorrow?
Anyone from Manchester around? How hellish would it be tomorrow?
JamieKnows · 15/12/2023 18:36

4 in fact 😅

fairymary87 · 15/12/2023 18:38

I work in retail in the Arndale! Don't do it to yourself! It's going to be crazy

SophieJo · 15/12/2023 18:42

Manchester City are playing at home so there could be even more crowds.

Thisisnotmyname2022 · 15/12/2023 18:50

Train into Manchester, just on the metro link at Piccadilly to Victoria and swap again to Rochdale. I live near Rochdale, technically it is Rochdale, but not the centre. It’s easily done.

Thisisnotmyname2022 · 15/12/2023 18:54

Can also do the metro link to Oldham. Bury would be the hardest to get to, although you could get to cheetham hill or Prestwich on the metro link too..

grass67 · 16/12/2023 17:09

IT's 52 miles from rochdale to Warrington. That's why it blew my mind @JamieKnows
Because clearly you don't know, or you wouldn't have suggested it.
Nor would you suggest Wigan if you had done that on a Sat.

Good choice OP, go in the new year or when you are healed.

JamieKnows · 17/12/2023 21:17

@grass67 sorry what? You're very angry about journeys which I do make quite regularly 🤣

Mate, the people in question hate driving into the city. I'm not keen either. I like the drive to Wigan much better. I backed it up with the exact timings on google maps, not sure what more you want. Mileage isn't an issue for me but my time is...and as you can see there's no difference time wise.

JamieKnows · 17/12/2023 21:19

Oh, and it's 28 miles from Rochdale to Warrington. Where the fuck are you getting 52 from? 😅

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