Don’t get exhausted finding cheap parking
DESPITE the expanding tram network, two major railway hubs and Europe’s busiest bus route, Manchester is still very much a car city.
Many visitors from near and far often prefer to use a vehicle to travel into the city centre for work or pleasure, despite the heavy congestion.
And although a huge amount of disused land is being developed to feed the city’s insatiable appetite for flats, there is still a lot of cheap car parking.
Most is located on the north side of town with easy access to Ancoats, Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter.
Here we list some of best on offer based on Parkopedia results and some of our own local knowledge.
But be quick – the M.E.N. reported last month how cheap parking in the city centre is expected to become a thing of the past.
Simon Warburton, strategy director at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said at a public meeting that much of the cheap parking is temporary and popped up after 2008 recession.
“In 20 years’ time people will wonder why Manchester ever dedicated so much land around Piccadilly to car parking,” he said.
“It will not be a logical way to feed HS2 and Piccadilly in future as we develop transport capacity and there is a more integrated offer.” So take advantage while it lasts... 1. RED BANK – £2.50 ALL DAY This is one of Manchester’s bestkept secrets, so don’t blab about it too much. There’s a car park just off Red Bank only a five-minute walk from Victoria station that costs £2.50 all day (at the time of writing).
It’s quite a rough patch of land, and you have to ask if you want the ticket stamped, but it’s by far the cheapest all-day parking we know of.
2. ROCHDALE ROAD – £3 ALL DAY
It’s slightly further away, but still only a ten-minute walk into the Northern Quarter.
It’s run by Total Car Parks UK and should cost £3 all day during the week and £2 at the weekend.
3. NORTON STREET – £4.30 FOR 12 HOURS
According to Parkopedia, this one is run by Euro Car Parks Ltd and is just behind Victoria station on the Salford side.
If you’re only in town for the afternoon it might not be a bad shout either at £3.50 for four hours.
Beware though, all the car parks in this area are pretty small and get full up quickly in the morning.
4. QUEEN STREET – £5 ALL DAY
This one is just the opposite side of Norton Street but charges a flat rate instead.
Again, it’s not massive so beware it getting full.
Both of these car parks are good locations for walking to Deansgate.
5. NCP PICCADILLY GARDENS – £6 FOR 12 HOURS
This is only for those prepared to get up early.
The £6 ‘Early Bird’ ticket is available from 6am-9am seven days a week but is likely to get full pretty sharpish on weekdays.
6. NCP MANCHESTER PALACE – £6.50 FOR 12 HOURS
The same deal as above but a better location if you’re visiting anything on or near Oxford Street.
7. BRIDGEWATER STREET – £7 ALL DAY
A bit steeper than the rest, but this is one of the few places on the Castlefield side of town that isn’t extortionate.
Do you know any other cheap parking spots around the city centre? Let us know by tweeting @ mennewsdesk.