Britain First march in Manchester sees trams cancelled as counter-protest gathers

Britain First march in Manchester sees trams cancelled as counter-protest gathersTram services across Manchester city centre have been stopped as a Britain First protest march gets underway, with counter-protesters also gathering at Piccadilly GardensCommentsNewsEthan Blackshaw Deputy Publishing Lead and Lee Grimsditch14:02, 18 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesCounter protesters on the tram tracks in Piccadilly Gardens ahead of the Britain First march(Image: GMP )Tram services throughout Manchester city centre have been brought to a halt this afternoon as a Britain First march is underway.‌Supporters of the far-right group assembled on Store Street beneath Manchester's Piccadilly station at noon, with the march to St Peter's Square departing just before 1.10pm.‌A counter-protest organised by a coalition of anti-racism groups, calling itself Resist Britain First, also gathered at Piccadilly Gardens. City visitors were warned to expect considerable disruption to both roads and Metrolink services, reports the Manchester Evening News.‌The Bee Network subsequently confirmed that stops at Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street and St Peter's Square had all been shut. Posting on X, it said: "Due to a planned protest in the city centre, there will be no cross-city tram services until further notice. Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street and St Peter's Square stops are closed. Tram service changes are in place please view them here: https://t.co/TJSZKcZoLX pic.twitter.com/Ni7yf6VyjZ"Content cannot be displayed without consentREAD MORE: Counter-terror police launch probe after Hendon arson attack as man seen with bagREAD MORE: Derby bus crash horror as 11-year-old boy killed in three-vehicle collisionThe Metrolink suspension is understood to have been implemented after counter-protesters were blocking the city centre tram tracks. They have since been moved on by police.‌GMP confirmed that officers are working to "minimise disruption and maintain safety around th...