From David Rose,
Chair of the Action Group
The campaign to oppose the planned expansion of the Tesco store in Brigg has stepped up a gear with new fears raised about the future prospects for the Thursday market in the town.
A recent survey of market traders has revealed that a number plan to cease trading in Brigg and others anticipate the demise of the regular weekly market as a result of any expansion of the town’s Tesco store. There are also fears that a number of local shops are expecting to close.
Further concerns have been raised about the volume of traffic that the expanded store would generate in addition to an increase in the number and size of the delivery lorries.
A survey is currently being undertaken by the Action Group who argue strongly that the current plans issued by Tesco seriously underestimate the increased problem of noise, congestion and pollution.
The Action Group BATLE have already presented a petition from 700 local residents opposed to the planned supermarket expansion and are now stepping up their action ahead of North Lincs Planning Committee considering the plans, with leaflets distributed across the town.
Chair of the Action Group, David Rose commented: “An increasing number of local people are now realising the detrimental impact that an expanded Tesco store will have on local shops and market traders, not to mention the visual impact of a large supermarket on the historic market town.”
NF adds: The matter is still being considered by North Lincolnshire Council, to whom Tesco has submitted its plans for build a new store about twice the size of the current one (off Barnard Avenue/Cary Lane) by knocking down the existing Lidl premises, off Spring's Way. Lidl is seeking permission to build a new store on Atherton Way, close to the roundabout on the A18. Tesco has promised scores of new jobs. The increase in vehicles resulting from additional customers and traffic flows along Barnard Avenue, notably at the junction with Cary Lane and Ash Grove, are central issues. North Lincolnshire Council is the highway authority, responsible for roads, as well as the body which decides planning applications.
1 comment:
May I suggest the BATLE statement appears to be stating facts the the new stores 'will' have a detrimental effect on local businesses , when it is purely speculation . To conduct a survey using your own opposition group is in itself biased . Are there any independent survey results being conducted?
How do the Macdonlsds , KFC etc survive on the big retail parks ? They cater for people travelling in from outside the local area to visit the super stores. Will the Brigg stores have a detrimental effect on the pubs, cafes , chip shops and burger bars ? If people are heading into Brigg for a pint and a pie will they not have to walk through the market place and down the high street?
There will be increased traffic yes I agree , but did we not build a new school when at 3.30pm any road north of Barnard Ave becomes gridlocked with buses and school run cars.
I look at whether local people will have a chance of more jobs in the stores and their shoppers having more choice .
I live directly on one of the ' congested ' routes and therfore cannot be accused of being remote from the effects of the stores.
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