Road plan is holding up Fareham superstore
Plans to redesign a busy town centre roundabout are delaying the building of a new superstore.
Tesco has admitted it is still trying to agree plans for the 2m redevelopment of Quay Street roundabout in Fareham.
The supermarket giant can only build a store off Quay Street if it can agree a scheme with Hampshire County Council to improve traffic flow.
But Melanie Chiswell, spokeswoman for Tesco, said the redesign of the roundabout was holding up the plans.
'We are still trying to come to an agreement with Fareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council as to how the lanes and footpaths around the site work,' she said.
'It's very complicated and that's what's taking the time.'
Tesco needs to redevelop the roundabout – used by around 50,000 vehicles a day – to cope with the extra traffic.
Previous plans have included introducing traffic signals to the junction and a new 'through-about' route. This will allow vehicles coming north from the A32 Gosport Road to cut through the roundabout and straight on to the A27 Eastern Way.
Fareham Borough Council gave Tesco provisional planning permission about a year ago.
But until the roundabout scheme is confirmed, it cannot get the full planning consent and begin work.
Hampshire County Council said it was waiting for Tesco to finalise the plans.
However Fareham council leader Sean Woodward said he had no doubts the store would still be built.
He said: 'Tesco are 100 per cent committed to this scheme.
'There's no worry about them pulling out, or doubt they will do this because I know they've put millions of pounds into this. They own the land.
'It would be very strange for them to run away from it.
'I think it's just the solicitors holding this up, probably just wrangling over wording of the agreement.
'I just wish the solicitors would pull their fingers out.
'I'm know I'm frustrated about the delay and so are the residents of Fareham.'
COUNCIL APPROVED
Fareham Borough Council's planning committee approved the proposals for a new 70,000 sq ft Tesco on the old foundry site in Fareham town centre by five votes to three.
Tesco expects to employ 400 staff at the Quay Street store – but they will be banned from using the supermarket's car park. Councillors were concerned at the potential effect that would have on surrounding residential roads, but Tesco has pledged 45,000 towards a residents' parking scheme.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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