M-way hope after centre gridlock

The commercial manager at a shopping centre near Bristol which experienced gridlock on Monday has said he hopes to see improved traffic links at the site.

John Edwards of the Mall at Cribbs Causeway said a new junction off the M5 was one of the centre's goals.

Thousands of shoppers descended on the Mall, blocking roads and exits, leaving many trapped in their cars for hours.

But Mr Edwards said that even if an extra M5 junction had been in place, it would not have made much difference.

'Exceptional year'

"I think even if we had six lanes yesterday (Monday) we'd still be faced with unbelievable levels of traffic," he said.

"It is that really exceptional year where we had the combined effects of huge discounts being offered and people leaving it to the last moment.

"We experienced it at Cribbs Causeway but it was repeated through the country.

"Over the next few years the centre hopes to benefit from extra bus lanes, a link road to the A38 and a second motorway junction as part of the the Bristol Transport Network," Mr Edwards added.

The centre said it experienced its largest number of shoppers in one day on Monday.

Advertisement

Bristol traffic gridlock