Plea over Tesco site

A major supermarket chain is being urged to reconsider the proposed site of a new store at Stourport to help prevent traffic chaos and safeguard the future of small town centre shops.

Tesco wants to build on the Old Carpets of Worth site, Severn Road, but town councillor David Little fears for High Street shops.

He also fears the store will bring even greater traffic chaos and create further problems around The Gilgal area.

The solution may be for Tesco to look at land which could become available when a school shuts. he says.

Councillor Little said it proposed that Tan Lane First and Lickhill schools amalgamate and a new school be relocated on the old Lickhill site.

"Whatever happens Tan Lane school will go and the site should be available by 2009 or 2010," he said.

"The boundary of the site is currently Tesco's car park. This would enable them to utilise this site.

"The present site where they propose building would see a lot of traffic around The Gilgal which is already a tremendous bottleneck.

"At present we have three stores and most people can access them from that part of town without going anywhere near The Gilgal.

"Creating the new store where there are already three stores around Lombard Street would prevent any serious impact on that area and would not take people away from the local shops as people would be able to walk to them.

"I would like Tesco to rethink their plans and seriously look at the land that will be available in two to three years time."

Stourport deputy Mayor, Councillor Mike Salter said of the school site: "It would certainly concentrate the shops in the town and would not interfere with traffic."

Tesco was not available for comment but are due to make a presentation to Stourport Town Council on April 3.