Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies up in arms over Manchester United's plan to close Sir Matt Busby Way


The club claims the move would protect fans who congregate outside Old Trafford throughout the week. The club claims the move would protect fans who congregate outside Old Trafford throughout the week.

Sir Matt Busby Way – the iconic road running past United’s stadium – could be permanently shut to traffic. The club claims the move would protect fans who congregate outside Old Trafford throughout the week. Sir Matt Busby Way is already closed on match days.

But taxi drivers, who have a rank on the road, say shutting it permanently will have a devastating impact on their businesses. They claim it will also block up other roads near the stadium by stopping drivers from cutting through.

The plan – first discussed informally by Trafford council and United last year - has now gone out to consultation, which closes this weekend. If approved by the town hall, a formal order will be introduced banning all traffic except cyclists.

Kevin Flanagan from the general workers' union GMB, said it had lodged an objection on behalf of taxi drivers. He added: “The GMB are objecting to the loss of the hackney cab rank.

“Hackney cabs can only operate on an adopted highway. There’s no layout that’s been discussed in any detail with the trade that would provide a hackney cab rank for that area. It’s also big news for the employees and employers of Trafford Park.

“Sir Matt Busby Way is a very good cut-through from the A56 into Trafford Park and out again, particularly if you are going to the town hall or Firswood or Gorse Hill.It works out around a two mile journey to go round.”

A United spokeswoman said most feedback from residents had been positive. She said an alternative site would be provided for taxi drivers. She added: “It’s really just for safety reasons. A lot of people use the road as a shortcut.” She denied it would cause traffic problems in surrounding roads, saying they were already at their busiest on matchdays.

Old Trafford councillor David Acton said the town hall would consider the plan carefully, including the views of the taxi trade. “I think it’s something we obviously as a council need to take notice of, because we wouldn’t want to affect the businesses of taxi drivers,” he said. “I’m sure there could be ways round that.”

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