THE MAYOR of Worcester has warned replacing an existing supermarket in Warndon could have ‘disastrous’ implications on traffic if plans to ease congestion do not work.
Coun Alan Amos, who is councillor for the area, said he had concerns after proposals to move the Lidl store on Blackpole Retail Park to the Archdale 73′ Club site opposite were officially submitted to Worcester City Council.
The supermarket giant has pledged to put in a mini roundabout on Blackpole Road to help traffic flow after initial plans to build traffic lights were knocked back.
But despite being in favour of the development, Coun Amos told The Observer they needed to be sure the roundabout would work on such a busy road.
“If they (Worcestershire Highways) can’t sort out the highways issues then there’s going to be real problems,” he said.
“You can’t have a huge superstore opposite an exit to a retail park which has already got severe problems, that would be disastrous so we have to sort that out.
“If it is faulty and what they are saying about the roundabout – that it would work – is not true, then obviously we would have to think again because it is not acceptable to worsen one of the worst traffic problems we have got already in the Blackpole and Warndon area.”
Talks between highways officers and Coun Amos are ongoing as they try and find a solution for the supermarket giant, which would bring with it up to twenty jobs and at least 80 car parking spaces, including both disabled and parent and child.
As part of the development, Archdale Club’s existing building will also be developed to include a new adult size football pitch, a clubhouse building with bar, lounge, skittles rooms, hall and 60 parking spaces.
“I will support the application because of the knock on effect to the retail park and obviously by revamping Archdales everybody is going to benefit, so overall it’s good news for the area,” Coun Amos added.
“It will bring jobs, hopefully sort out a traffic problem, do up the facilities in Archdales and become a bigger store which obviously is good because it gives people more choice, more people come and it’s better for business.”
If approved, the store will open by the middle of next year.
A Lidl spokeswoman said: “We have had detail pre-application discussion with the local planning authority including the highway authority.
“We are proposing a new roundabout on Blackpole Road to serve the Blackpole Retail Park and the Lidl foodstore again, this has been discussed in detail with the highway authority.
“If successful we would be relocating from our existing store on the Retail Park on the opposite side of the road.”
