Wrekin Retail Park apology after snow gridlock

The owners of a retail park in Telford today apologised to thousands of shoppers after heavy snowfall caused chaos and left people trapped in their cars for up to four hours.

The Wrekin Retail Park became gridlocked on Saturday afternoon after up to six inches of snow fell. A Tesco tanker became stuck on the approach to the retail park and cars were allowed to continue coming in, causing mayhem.

A crash on the main road outside the retail park also added to the traffic misery.

Today a spokesperson for Hammerson, the owners of the retail park, said: "We experienced significant snowfall in Telford on Saturday which, along with a road traffic collision on a neighbouring road outside of the retail park, affected customer access to and from the park.

"We appreciate that some customers spent much longer than expected leaving the car park and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"The Wrekin Retail Park team gritted the site prior to the snowfall and the car park was cleared and re-gritted on Saturday evening. The retail park was fully operational on Sunday with no traffic issues."

Yesterday calls were made for an investigation into how so many shoppers were left trapped in their cars for so many hours. But furious motorists blamed staff for continuing to let vehicles on to the car park.

Meanwhile, an appeal went out today to trace a mystery Good Samaritan who leapt into action to try and keep traffic moving.

The man, driving a gold-coloured Land Rover Discovery, worked tirelessly to direct traffic.

Tractor driver Andy Evans, who was called in to move the tanker, said: "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have been able to get the tanker out. He was absolutely brilliant."

The man left the scene before 37-year-old Mr Evans was able to thank him fully.

Mr Evans, who runs Melverley Farm in Rowton, between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, was called in to help move the vehicle with a tractor.

Mr Evans added of the Land Rover driver: "Tesco staff said they would give him some shopping vouchers by way of a thank you as well if they could find him. I hope he comes forward."

See also:

• Trapped! Shoppers stuck on car park for hours in snow

• Shoppers stranded as snow hits Shropshire

• Letter: Sympathy with Tesco staff after gridlock in the snow