Mayhem unfolded in car parks at the major retail centre with shoppers reporting being stuck for over two hoursJames Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter and Emily Carubia
19:06, 29 Dec 2025Updated 06:46, 30 Dec 2025
Trafford Centre chaos on December 29(Image: Katrina Cliffe)
The Trafford Centre has issued a statement following reports of shoppers being ‘trapped for hours’ in chaotic scenes at the shopping centre’s car parks. Some customers claimed they had been stuck for over two hours attempting to exit the ‘gridlocked’ parking areas.
Shoppers took to social media after finding themselves trapped in the car park, with extensive delays and queues reported all the way to the nearby M60 junction. Images shared online showed cars caught in lengthy queues, with some drivers reportedly unable to navigate out of their parking spaces.
The Trafford Centre has since responded, saying that usual busy footfall and traffic was worsened with a vehicle breakdown beside the nearby M60 and that they had been advertising that their car parks were full ‘throughout the afternoon’ on Monday (December 29).
Traffic monitoring site Inrix also reported tailbacks on the M60. There was ‘very slow traffic’ throughout the afternoon on the anti-clockwise carriageway at Junction 10, with congestion backed up to Junction 15 at Swinton, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Trafford Centre chaos on December 29(Image: Katrina Cliffe)
One shopper, Katrina Cliffe, previously told the MEN of how she was forced to abandon her car and help with traffic management on Monday evening, guiding other motorists away from the large car park outside John Lewis. She said shoppers became ‘stuck in their cars’ with ‘every lane gridlocked’.
“We have been trying to get out of the car park since 3.45, so it’s been over an hour,” she said. “You just can’t get anywhere. The car behind us had already been stuck for 50 minutes when we pulled out. The roundabout outside is gridlocked too so nobody can move. It’s crazy how long it’s taken. It’s so bad.”
Posts from frustrated motorists were also shared across X on Monday. One user wrote: “Trafford centre is absolutely vile, it’s hell trying to get out the car park,” to which another responded: “We have been trying to get off of the car park now for 2 hours.”
Trafford centre car park chaos on December 29(Image: @freyjathorpex/X)
Posting a series of videos, another user fumed: “Wouldn’t even bother trying to get in or out the trafford centre at this point, third hour sat here, appalling traffic management. Hope you’re not expecting me to pay a parking fine.”
“Trapped at Trafford Centre. Not moved in 2 hours now trying to get out,” another posted.
In a statement, the Trafford Centre said: “With a busy day at the centre and nearby retail parks, combined with a vehicle breakdown at Junction 9, roads in and out of the centre are more congested than usual. We have been advertising throughout the afternoon that all car parks are full.
“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.”