In this video, we make our way along the pedestrian route from Piccadilly station in the city centre to Sportcity, Co-op Live and the Etihad Stadium. Along the way we look at construction sites, old buildings, new buildings, then and now comparisons, stunning drone shots, canalside vistas and lots more.

The main construction sites are the Fairfax residential towers next to Piccadilly station and the Etihad Stadium extension. Co-op Live was completed around April 2024 but the first concerts were delayed due to electrical and other problems in the building .

The Eastlink route from Holt town to the Etihad campus was set up to provide a welcoming walkway for people going on foot to football matches or concerts. The Eastlink route from the city centre to the Commonwealth Games site was used during the games in 2002. I have selected some of my photographs from Manchester in 2002 as well as some black and white shots from the 1990s, so we can compare how things have changed.

This area will continue to develop, so I intend to return in the future to track the changes. Keep watching Eyewitness in Manchester. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment and share.

Check out the excellent drone videos on the @Cinemaker channel

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