Drivers in Greater Manchester faced a miserable afternoon on December 30 as a collision on the M60 near the Trafford Centre triggered five miles of tailbacks, up to thirty minutes of additional delays and widespread gridlock on local roads already straining under the post-Christmas shopping rush.

The incident, on the anticlockwise carriageway between junctions 11 and 10, left one lane closed and traffic crawling between the Swinton Interchange and Trafford Park, compounding chaos that had already seen shoppers complain of being trapped in the Trafford Centre’s car parks for hours the previous day.

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Crash Between Junctions 11 and 10 Sparks Major Delays

National traffic monitors reported a road traffic collision on the M60 anticlockwise between junctions 11 and 10 in the Salford district early on Tuesday afternoon, December 30.

One of three lanes, along with the hard shoulder, was closed while emergency services and recovery teams worked at the scene.

Initial estimates suggested that the incident would not fully clear until around 2 pm, with normal traffic conditions expected to return only later in the afternoon.

The restricted capacity quickly translated into long queues, as thousands of vehicles converged on this key stretch of Manchester’s orbital motorway.

By early afternoon, drivers were facing delays of around 20 to 30 minutes beyond normal travel times on the approach to junction 10 for Trafford Park and the Trafford Centre.

Live data from motorway information services indicated slow-moving or stationary traffic stretching back toward junction 15 for the M61 at Swinton.

With lanes narrowed and the flow constricted, motorists found themselves inching along at a walking pace, with some reporting being stuck long enough to reconsider plans to visit the shopping complex entirely.

The collision occurred at one of the busiest links in the M60 network, where local and regional traffic merges with shoppers heading to one of the North West’s largest retail destinations.

At the same time as the emergency response was underway on the carriageway, overhead signs warned approaching drivers of queues ahead and urged reduced speed, but the volume of vehicles meant congestion continued to build.

Post-Christmas Rush Turns Trafford Centre Area Into a Bottleneck

The timing of the crash proved particularly disruptive. December 30 falls in the heart of the post-Christmas and New Year sales period, traditionally one of the busiest weeks of the year for the Trafford Centre.

On Monday, December 29, the complex had already drawn widespread attention after scenes described by visitors as “mayhem” unfolded in the car parks, with shoppers reporting waits of more than two hours simply to exit the site.

Images and video shared on social media earlier in the week showed long lines of vehicles at a standstill around the perimeter road, Trafford Boulevard and Barton Dock Road, with horns sounding as frustrated drivers found themselves unable to move.

Some visitors said they were forced to abandon plans to continue shopping or dining and instead sat in stationary queues, struggling to merge out of packed parking bays onto gridlocked access roads that feed directly into the M60 at junction 10.

Those earlier scenes highlighted just how quickly the Trafford Centre area can become a bottleneck when traffic levels are high, and Tuesday’s collision on the motorway added another layer to the problem.

Drivers hoping to reach the complex to take advantage of the sales were met not only with crowded car parks but also with tailbacks on the main approach route, while those leaving found the motorway entrance severely congested.

Car Park “Hell” and Local Roads Under Strain

The motorway disruption came less than 24 hours after many visitors described being stuck in what some called “car park hell” at the Trafford Centre.

On Monday, a combination of record post-Christmas footfall, full car parks and a separate vehicle breakdown on the nearby M60 left people trapped for hours.

Some shoppers reported not moving for extended periods as queues backed up from the motorway junction into internal access roads and surface parking areas.

One visitor described abandoning her car to help direct motorists away from the busiest area outside the department store entrances, trying to untangle lines of vehicles that had locked solid in every direction.

Others used social platforms to voice safety concerns, pointing out that there was little information available to people with young children, elderly relatives or health issues who were stuck in their cars without easy access to toilets, food or water.

On Tuesday, those local pressures had still not fully subsided when the collision occurred on the anticlockwise M60. With the motorway partially blocked, traffic attempting to exit at junction 10 or rejoin from the shopping centre found itself in slow-moving queues.

Meanwhile, drivers accustomed to using Barton Dock Road, Trafford Boulevard and surrounding arterial routes as quick links to the motorway discovered that all routes were converging into a single extended jam.

Authorities Urge Drivers to Rethink Routes and Check Before Travel

Highways authorities and traffic information services urged motorists to check conditions before setting out, with particular warnings issued for drivers planning to use the M60 anticlockwise past junctions 11 and 10 during the middle of the day on December 30.

With at least one lane closed and delays reported at up to 30 minutes, anyone travelling across the north and west of Manchester was advised to consider whether journeys could be delayed or re-routed via the M61, M62 or local A-roads.

However, experts noted that alternative routes were also likely to become busy as drivers diverted away from the motorway.

Long-distance traffic heading toward Liverpool or Leeds was encouraged to remain on national routes where possible, while local shoppers and commuters were reminded to make use of public transport options, including tram and bus links that serve the Trafford Centre and nearby TraffordCity area, which were not directly affected by the lane closure on the M60.

Authorities also emphasized the importance of patience and safe driving in congested conditions. With vehicles shuffling between lanes to try to gain advantage and some drivers making last-minute decisions at junctions, there is an increased risk of further minor collisions or breakdowns.

Officials repeatedly advised travellers to allow more time, keep sufficient distance from the car in front and avoid abrupt braking, hoping to prevent secondary incidents that could worsen the already fragile traffic flow.

Trafford Centre Response and Calls for Better Traffic Management

Following Monday’s extensive delays in the car parks and the renewed congestion around the centre on Tuesday, the Trafford Centre’s operators acknowledged the difficulties experienced by shoppers.

In a statement earlier this week, they pointed to a combination of exceptionally high visitor numbers during the sales period and an external vehicle breakdown on the M60 that together pushed the surrounding road network beyond its normal capacity.

The centre said it had been advertising that car parks were full throughout the afternoon and that its dedicated traffic teams were working alongside Greater Manchester Police and highways authorities to ease the situation.

Despite these measures, many visitors have called for more robust traffic management around major shopping dates, arguing that predictable spikes in demand should be matched with clear contingency plans.

Suggestions raised by motorists include more proactive use of variable message signs to warn of queues further in advance, temporary one-way systems in and out of car parks, dedicated routes for public transport and emergency vehicles, and real-time updates via social channels so shoppers can make informed decisions before travelling.

For now, the focus remains on restoring normal flows on the motorway and surrounding roads following Tuesday’s collision.

But the back-to-back days of disruption have reignited a long-running debate over how resilient the Trafford Centre’s road access really is, especially at times when the local motorway network is already operating close to capacity.

Impact on Commuters, Shoppers and Regional Connectivity

The M60 is a crucial ring road for Greater Manchester, carrying daily commuter traffic, freight movements and leisure journeys around the city. Disruption on the section serving the Trafford Centre has an impact far beyond the shopping complex itself.

On Tuesday, hauliers and commercial drivers reported being caught up in the same queues as shoppers, with delivery schedules knocked off course and travel times lengthening between key junctions, including those linking to the M61 and routes toward Bolton, Wigan and further afield.

Public transport services that rely on predictable road conditions, such as inter-urban bus routes, also faced challenges as they attempted to navigate local congestion.

While dedicated bus lanes and priority signals help in some locations, choke points at roundabouts and motorway slip roads are harder to bypass when traffic is gridlocked.

Passengers heading for rail connections or appointments across the city risked missing onward links, adding a layer of stress to journeys already extended by holiday crowds.

Beyond immediate travel disruption, tourism and retail experts are likely to examine whether repeated episodes of gridlock could discourage some visitors from making spur-of-the-moment trips to the Trafford Centre and surrounding attractions.

While the complex remains a major draw for shoppers from across the North West, the prospect of spending as much time in queues as inside the mall may lead some to opt instead for town centre high streets or online sales, particularly if severe congestion is perceived as a regular occurrence rather than a rare spike.

What Drivers Should Know Before Heading to the M60 Near Trafford Centre

With the collision on December 30 highlighting how quickly conditions can deteriorate on the M60 near the Trafford Centre, motoring organisations are urging drivers to treat this stretch of motorway with particular caution during peak shopping periods.

They recommend checking live traffic information before leaving home, especially when travelling toward junctions 10 and 11, and having a back-up route planned in case of sudden incidents or closures.

For those still planning trips to take advantage of New Year sales, experts suggest considering off-peak times earlier in the morning or later in the evening, when both the motorway and car parks are likely to be less congested.

Car sharing, using park-and-ride facilities where available, or switching to tram and bus services can also help reduce the overall volume of traffic converging on the junction.

Shoppers are also encouraged to factor extra time into their plans for both arrival and departure, especially if travelling with children or people who may find extended delays particularly difficult.

Local residents and regular commuters, meanwhile, may wish to avoid the area entirely during the height of the sales period, using alternative sections of the ring road or local routes that bypass the Trafford Centre.

While not immune to delays, these can sometimes offer a more predictable journey than attempting to thread through a known congestion hotspot at its busiest time.

FAQ

Q1. Where exactly did today’s M60 delays occur near the Trafford Centre?
Today’s worst delays were on the M60 anticlockwise between junction 11 and junction 10, the stretch that serves Trafford Park and the Trafford Centre, with queues reported back toward junction 15 near the M61 interchange.

Q2. How long were drivers delayed on the M60 near the Trafford Centre?
Drivers were advised to expect up to around 30 minutes of additional travel time on the anticlockwise M60 past junctions 11 and 10 during the peak of the disruption on December 30, with some motorists reporting longer door-to-door delays when local roads and car parks were factored in.

Q3. What caused the five-mile tailbacks on the M60?
The tailbacks were primarily caused by a road traffic collision between junctions 11 and 10 on the anticlockwise carriageway, which led to the closure of one lane and the hard shoulder. This reduction in capacity, combined with high volumes of post-Christmas traffic heading to and from the Trafford Centre, caused queues to build to around five miles in length.

Q4. Were the Trafford Centre car parks affected again today?
While the most severe car park issues were reported on Monday, December 29, today’s motorway collision contributed to further congestion on the roads in and out of the Trafford Centre. Drivers reported slow progress on approach roads, although conditions in the car parks themselves varied throughout the day.

Q5. Is it better to avoid driving to the Trafford Centre during the sales?
Motoring and travel experts advise that, where possible, drivers consider visiting at quieter times or using public transport during the peak sales period. The combination of heavy shopper traffic and any unforeseen incident on the nearby M60 can quickly create long delays for those arriving by car.

Q6. What alternative routes can drivers use instead of the M60 near junction 10?
Depending on their origin and destination, drivers may be able to route via the M62, M61 or local A-road networks that skirt the Trafford Centre area. However, these alternatives can also become busy during major incidents, so up-to-date traffic information should always be checked before choosing a diversion.

Q7. How long did authorities expect it to take to clear today’s collision?
Initial estimates from traffic services suggested that the collision between junctions 11 and 10 would be cleared between early and mid-afternoon on December 30, with normal traffic conditions not expected to resume until later in the day once the backlog of vehicles had dispersed.

Q8. Are public transport services to the Trafford Centre affected by M60 incidents?
Tram and bus services that serve the Trafford Centre are not directly affected by lane closures on the motorway itself, but they can experience delays when local access roads become heavily congested. Passengers are advised to allow extra time and check operator updates during major incidents.

Q9. What has the Trafford Centre said about the recent traffic problems?
The Trafford Centre has acknowledged the disruption, citing exceptionally busy trading days and external incidents on the nearby M60 as key factors. Management says dedicated traffic teams have been working with police and highways officials and that messages about full car parks were displayed throughout the busiest periods.

Q10. What can drivers do to reduce the risk of getting caught in similar jams?
Drivers can reduce the risk by planning ahead, checking live traffic before departure, travelling at off-peak times, considering public transport, and allowing extra time for both arrival and exit. On the road, maintaining safe distances and avoiding sudden lane changes also helps prevent secondary incidents that can prolong or worsen jams.