Oxford Road closure: Week 2
13 Aug 2015
This Saturday (15 August) sees the start of the Precinct Centre bridge demolition as part of the University's redevelopment of Manchester Business School
It is expected that heavy and noisy demolition activity will continue in to Monday, 17 August. Less intrusive demolition will continue for the rest of that week and Oxford Road will remain closed until 6am on Monday, 7 September while work continues following the removal of the 46-year-old bridge.
The redevelopment will provide improved student and staff facilities. In addition, the Precinct Centre is being redeveloped, providing 40,500 sq ft of new retail and leisure facilities.
Around 200,000 sq ft of MBS facilities will be refurbished as part of the plans to improve teaching and administrative accommodation, a new learning library and enterprise zone.
This project is one of several currently underway on the campus as the University forges ahead with its £1 billion campus masterplan capital programme which will create world class facilities for staff, students and visitors.
Director of Estates Diana Hampson, said:”The bridge’s removal marks a key point in the ongoing transformation of the University campus. What we are creating in its place will be a vast improvement for all those who live, work, study in and visit the area. The removal of the bridge will improve views and light levels in the area and public spaces will be improved. It will also enable the redevelopment of the frontage.”
Building closures
- Blackwells/Starbucks are closed from 15 to 17 August
- Precinct Library is closed on 17 August
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 the following bus services:
- 15, 53 and 111
Download a map:
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:
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.