Shoppers flock to new Asda store in Ferring

The company chose Durrington teenager Dan Ward, who has fought hard to continue his sports studies after suffering a stroke, as its ‘local hero’ to cut the opening ribbon.

Store manager Martyn Gallon said there had been a “fantastic response” from customers to the new site.

However, despite a general welcome for the store and the 475 jobs it has created, concerns have been raised over additional traffic levels in the area.

For this morning’s opening, the A259 suffered severe road congestion in both directions, with a new right-hand turn on the Eastbound carriageway of the road having been created outside the store.

Roger Elkins, West Sussex County councillor for Ferring, feared the newly-installed right hand junction could prove a considerable issue.

He said: “In my view, it’s making it very unsafe. I’m so concerned, I’m going to raise it with the county council’s highways department.

“A number of people raised issues about the traffic when the development was first mentioned, when they said the road’s not adequate to cope with it.“I’m concerned about the safety of that part of the road.”