Car park chaos prompts IKEA Reading to review traffic flows

Store hopes to avoid repeat of opening weekend gridlock

IKEA Reading has confirmed that it is reviewing the traffic flow out of its multi-storey car park after shoppers were trapped in their cars for more than three hours during the opening weekend.

Management is also encouraging customers to use public transport to visit the store in Pincents Lane, Calcot.

Frustrated shoppers were left with nowhere to turn when the car park became gridlocked on Sunday, July 17 – just three days after its grand opening.

Staff at the store took to handing out cold drinks to those stuck in their vehicles, between 1pm and 4pm.

In desperation, some shoppers even called Thames Valley Police, and officers attended the scene to help direct traffic.

Following the incident, IKEA promised to investigate the cause of the jam and has now said it will review the traffic flow out of the 1,000-vehicle car park.

IKEA Reading store manager Johanna Heuren said: “Following the delays that some of our customers experienced in exiting our car park during the first Sunday of operation, we have been working together with traffic engineers and West Berkshire Council to review the traffic flows away from the store.

“Last weekend, we had a traffic management team in place in order to step in if needed.

“However, all ran smoothly throughout.

“We will of course continue to monitor the traffic around the store.

“We would also like to encourage customers to use public transport as a more sustainable way of travelling to the
store.”