Oxford Road closes for bridge demolition on 10 August
05 Aug 2015
The road will close for four weeks from 6am on Monday, 10 August, re-opening no later than 6am on Monday, 7 September
Week 1
During the first week of the closure, the contractors will be concentrating on erecting the fencing to create the ‘demolition zone’, laying and fixing all the materials that protect the road surface, pavements and adjacent buildings, and bringing in all the necessary plant and equipment to undertake the demolition work.
The heavy and noisy demolition work is planned to take place between 15 and 17 August; more information will be provided in the next update.
You are also asked to be aware that, whilst Oxford Road will be closed to through traffic, it will not be a ‘traffic free’ zone, as vehicles will still need to access buildings in the centre of the campus. In addition, there will be a lot more construction traffic around than during the first road closure, so please be vigilant.
Best endeavours will be used to limit the emission of construction noise and dust. However, it is possible that occasional evening/night working be necessary to ensure that the programme of work is completed before the main demolition work starts on 15 August.
Apologies once again for the inconvenience caused by the road closure: your patience during this period will be much appreciated.
Pedestrian and cycle access
Pedestrian access is only restricted to the area of the demolition zone around and under the bridge. There will be no pedestrian access under the bridge, on the Crawford House side of Oxford Road, for the four week period of the road closure. There will be no pedestrian access under the bridge, on the Precinct side of Oxford Road, from 15 – 17 August. Outside these dates, there will be limited pedestrian access along the front of the Precinct retail units. Alternative pedestrian routes will be signposted at appropriate points on Oxford Road.
Cycle access is only restricted to the area of the demolition zone around and under the bridge, and there will be no cycle access under the bridge for the four week period of the road closure. Alternative cycle routes will be signposted at appropriate points on Oxford Road. Cyclists are requested to not use the pedestrian access under the bridge, and use the designated alternative routes.
Vehicle and bus diversions
Vehicular traffic and bus route diversions will be in place, and will be the same as during the first road closure in June. The main diversionary route follows Hathersage Road, Upper Brook Street and Booth Street East, and will be used by the following bus services:
- 18, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 142, 143, 145 (In,) 157, X41, X57, 141, 191 and 197
An alternative diversion will run along Moss Lane East, Lloyd Street North, Higher Cambridge Street and Booth Street West – this will be used by bus services 15, 53 and 111.
A map of the road closure and diversion routes can be downloaded from:
147 bus diversion
This differs slightly from the other bus route diversions and will be as follows:
- From Piccadilly Station:
Normal route as far as Booth St East where the buses will turn left, then right onto Upper Brook Street, right onto Dover Street and left onto Oxford Road at the Student Union where they will follow the existing route into the Hospitals Complex. - From Hospitals:
Exit The Boulevard onto Hathersage Road, then left onto Upper Brook Street where the buses will travel most of its length up to Grosvenor Street. Turning left into Grosvenor Street and right onto Oxford Road at All Saints where the buses will follow the normal route to Piccadilly Station.
The latest updates for the 147 service are online at:
Retail outlets
SPAR store closed their premises on 28 July as their lease had expired and will not be reopening.
Blackwells/Starbucks will be closed for three days from Saturday, 15 to Monday, 17 August whilst the heaviest and noisiest of the bridge demolition activities take place.
Further information
- Contact James Boland, Project Manager, Directorate of Estates and Facilities, atjames.boland@manchester.ac.uk or 0161 306 5571 (extn 65571)
or - Visit Transport for Greater Manchester
Further updates will be provided as preparations and works progress.