M1 and other roads congested as shoppers asked to queue outside Meadowhall

The AA has reported queuing traffic due to ‘shopping congestion’ on Meadowhall Way at Vulcan Road, for Meadowhall Central.

The congestion stretches to Sheffield Road and also back onto the M1 at junction 34 as shoppers try to make the most of a wet bank holiday Monday by heading to Meadowhall.

The delays were first reported just after 11am today and were still affecting traffic at 12.30pm.

On Saturday, Meadowhall warned visitors to ‘come prepared’ and ‘wrap up warm’ after people were forced to queue outside to prevent the shopping centre becoming overcrowded.

Today, it again announced that it had reached capacity and asked shoppers to queue in a designated area outside until it is safe to enter.

"If you are visiting today please prepare for the weather and bring your waterproofs in case you have to wait for a short while outside,” it said.

"If you were planning on shopping todau, we woud recommend coming during out quieter period which tends to be after 3pm.

"There will still be plenty of time to shop as our stores are open until 8pm today.”

Meadowhall’s capacity has been reduced to allow social distancing, with a one-way system in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Non-essential shops there have been open again since restrictions were eased on April 12, and two outdoor dining spaces have been created for people to eat takeaway food from the cafes and restaurants at the centre which are open.