Weekend under starter’s orders

DESPITE the atrocity of the Manchester Arena attack, a bumper Bank Holiday weekend of sporting and music events will go ahead in Manchester city centre.

Preparations for a number of major events are underway, with thousands of people expected to flood into the city for sporting events and gigs.

City leaders, police chiefs and event organisers say the decision to go ahead with planned events is proof Manchester’s resilience in the face of Monday night’s terror attack, which claimed the victims.

Those travelling in and out of the city centre over the Bank Holiday are urged to take note of the additional disruption caused by the closure of Manchester Victoria following the bomb.

There are no rail or Metrolink services going to or from the stadium following the bomb.

Additionally, there will be a number of road closures and alternative routes will be in use, affecting bus and road users.

The weekend kicked off in style last night with the Arcadis Great CityGames, which saw some of the country’s top athletes compete on a lives of 22 specially built running track down the middle of Deansgate.

Here is everything you need to know about what else is happening this weekend... WHAT’S HAPPENING? The Courteeners will be playing at Lancashire County Cricket Club’s Emirates Old Trafford.

Around 50,000 people are expected at the event – which also sees The Charlatans, Blossoms and Cabbage supporting the main act – so it’s going to be very busy.

Doors at Old Trafford are due to open at 4.30pm so expect congestion on the roads from 3pm onwards and also on Metrolink, who are putting on extra trams, going to Old Trafford station.

It is due to finish at around 10pm, so again be aware things are going to be busy from then on in both on the roads and on the tram network heading away from the ground.

There will also be rail improvement works until May 30, which will affect some Northern and Transpennine Express services. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? TfGM has created a map for anyone planning on walking to The Courteeners gig, which is about two miles