MAN arrivals in the 80s & 90s
 

In my younger days I lived in South Manchester and aircraft would regularly pass (quite low) over the area from a NW direction prior to turning onto finals for a 'westerly' landing (the unique sound of an approaching BAC 1-11 always got me looking skyward!)

Nowadays, aircraft position themselves for an approach into MAN from further out, generally from a NE direction.

I was just wondering what the reasons were for this change - increased traffic heading into MAN (and/or LPL) noise abatement reasons etc. I'm sure there is a simple reason but just curious, hopefully somebody can shed some light.

I'm sure more knowledgeable heads than me will respond but to hazard a guess all of the standard instrument arrivals and departures were rewritten in the 90s to accommodate the opening of the second runway.

Thanks for the reply. I'm pretty sure that they changed to the current routings well before runway 2 opened in 2001 though.

Noise abatement at a guess.
Many years ago, ATC/Pilots were jointly responsible for aircraft routings.
In the 80s and 90s, the aerodrome authority, (MA PLC), cultivated their 'good-neighbour' policy, and flexed their muscles, thus removing ATC's flexibility. Everything had to join final approach at least 7 miles out, in spite of the fact that a/c had become much, much quieter.
Still happens today. Much fuel wasted by imposing extra track-miles on aircraft types which make less noise than some road vehicles.
A shame.