Shoppers Face Hours of Delays as Trafford Centre Car Parks Gridlock

Chaos erupted at the Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester as shoppers reported being trapped in car parks for over two hours on December 29, 2023. The retail hub faced significant congestion, with many customers struggling to exit the facility due to gridlocked conditions exacerbated by a vehicle breakdown near the M60 motorway.

Social media became a platform for frustrated shoppers sharing their experiences. Numerous reports emerged about extensive delays, with some motorists unable to navigate out of their parking spaces. Images circulated online depicted vehicles caught in prolonged queues, extending all the way to the nearby M60 junction.

In response to the turmoil, the Trafford Centre issued a statement acknowledging the unusually high footfall and traffic. The centre explained that a vehicle breakdown at Junction 9 of the M60 intensified the situation. Throughout the afternoon, management had been alerting visitors that all car parks were full.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix corroborated these reports, indicating severe delays on the M60. The anti-clockwise carriageway at Junction 10 experienced “very slow traffic,” with congestion stretching back to Junction 15 at Swinton, according to the *Manchester Evening News*.

Katrina Cliffe, a shopper caught in the chaos, recounted her experience, stating, “We have been trying to get out of the car park since 3:45 PM, so it’s been over an hour. You just can’t get anywhere.” She noted that the roundabout outside was also gridlocked, preventing any movement. Cliffe took the initiative to assist with traffic management, guiding other motorists away from the large car park outside John Lewis.

Frustrations echoed across various social media platforms, with posts from shoppers describing their experiences. One user lamented, “Trafford centre is absolutely vile; it’s hell trying to get out the car park,” while another added, “Trapped at Trafford Centre. Not moved in 2 hours now trying to get out.”

The Trafford Centre’s management emphasized their commitment to resolving the situation. They stated, “Our dedicated traffic teams have been working with Greater Manchester Police and the highways authorities, deploying officers in key areas, to try and get things moving as quickly as possible. We appreciate our visitors’ patience whilst trying to get in and out of the car parks.”

As the situation unfolded, many shoppers hoped for improved traffic management to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Trafford Centre remains a popular destination, but this event highlighted the challenges of managing high volumes of traffic during busy shopping periods.