New barriers are being installed on Deansgate to allow buses to travel through following a row over pedestrianisation.
The stretch of road between Blackfriars Street and King Street has been closed to traffic since May.
Manchester Council brought in a temporary traffic order saying it would allow more room for people returning to the area following the first coronavirus lockdown.
But it emerged last week that Diamond Bus company had objected to the order, claiming that it was detrimental to passengers and that the council was using the situation as a backdoor to permanent pedestrianisation without proper consultation.
When talks broke down, Diamond began the process of challenging the council's decision in the High Court via a judicial review.
The day before a hearing was due to go ahead, the council backed down and agreed it would compromise by re-opening Deansgate one-way to buses.
Councillor Angeliki Stogia, the Executive Member for Transport, criticised Diamond saying it was 'extremely frustrating' that the operator had 'chosen to down this route.'
Diamond hit back in a furious response given to the M.E.N, accusing Cllr Stogia of having ducked out of a meeting to discuss the issue.
The operator also accused Manchester Council of having made an 'embarrassing' error by imposing an 'unlawful' temporary traffic order, while revealing that the council has agreed to pay Diamond £42,000 towards legal costs.
The council rejects the claim it has acted 'unlawfully'.
A consultation on plans for the permanent closure of the section of Deansgate is ongoing and the council now intends to seek a new traffic order.
In the meantime, workmen were back on site today preparing for the road to reopen.
Heavy-duty 'Rhino' barriers have been installed to allow buses to travel one-way down the middle of the road.
Pedestrians will still have some extra room on either side and the new planters remain.
The metal filters however, have been removed.
It is understood the council originally used funds from the government's emergency Active Travel Fund to set up the pedestrianisation.
A council spokesperson said the new setup will be open from Wednesday, December 16.
The row with Diamond also reignited a war of words over wider plans for bus franchising in Greater Manchester.
Cllr Stogia said the dispute was 'another illustration of why we need to bring bus routes back under public control.'
In response, Diamond accused the authority of 'recklessly using COVID 19 legislation to further their own political agenda'.
A public consultation on bus franchising is ongoing.
For more information and to leave feedback visit gmconsult.org
