How to get to Old Trafford

13 April 2012

Police have issued separate routes for Arsenal and Spurs fans travelling to Old Trafford by road for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final. Several thousand fans will make their way to the match on trains and by air, but the majority of the 67,000 sell-out crowd will travel by road.

The 1.30pm kick-off means the M1 and M6 will be crowded from first light as supporters allow extra time for their car journeys.

The clubs have chartered 100 coaches between them and many more are expected to be hired privately.

However, in order to ease the traffic flow into Manchester, police are asking rival fans to take different routes when leaving the M6.

Spurs fans will travel to the west of Manchester while Arsenal supporters are being asked to travel to the east of the city, close to Manchester Airport.

Steven Powell, chairman of the Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association, said: "I am not one to be a harbinger of doom but I am afraid it is going to be chaos.

"My only worry is that half of the crowd is going to be sat on a motorway trying to get to the ground when the game starts."

The Highways Agency today confirmed they would be suspending roadworks on the major routes to Manchester.

"We are taking every step possible to help supporters travel to and from the match with the least inconvenience," said Highways Agency chief executive Tim Matthews.

An AA Roadwatch spokesman added: "There is nothing which should affect journey times except sheer weight of traffic." Supporters are also expected to run into traffic congestion on the way home, particularly in Birmingham where fans leaving the second semi-final between Liverpool and Wycombe at Villa Park could add to the chaos.

Police forces between London and Manchester are expected to make special provisions to ensure there is no trouble between rival fans at motorway service stations before and after the match.

Spurs fans travelling by car should leave the M6 at Junction 21A and take the M62 towards Manchester. Join the M60 and travel towards Manchester Airport before leaving at Junction 9. Turn left and join Parkway. At the first traffic island take the third exit into Village Way, continuing to the next traffic island. Take the second exit and continue on Wharfside Way. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right on to John Gilbert Way and go to car parks C2 and C3.

Arsenal fans should leave the M6 at Junction 19, joining the A556 towards Manchester. Join the M56 at Junction 7 and travel towards Manchester Airport. Continue to the end of the motorway where the road becomes the A5103. Join the M60 signposted to Leeds and leave at Junction 7 (A56). Turn right on to Chester Road and take the next left into Sir Matt Busby Way and into car parks C1 or D (access from Wharfside Way).

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