Tesco talks on parking chaos

The answer to the chaos and congestion at the branch in Aldwick Road could centre around control of its layby.

County highways officers are working with the retail giant to find a way to limit the impact the company's frequent deliveries have on the busy thoroughfare.

Details are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

Tesco wants to use the store as a pilot for other locations around the country where its rapid expansion into convenience stores has led to an increase in parking problems.

The need for action was given an urgency after Tesco revealed the summer could see delivery lorries parked outside the branch for up to two hours a day because of the need for a constant flow of fresh food in the summer temperatures.

The news has come after an under-fire senior representative of the company admitted that its previous policy of opening the stores '“ such as the three in the Bognor area '“ was flawed. Pagham Road and Station Road are the other locations.

County council deputy leader Cllr Mike Coleman told Aldwick parish councillors on Monday that it seemed the firm was finally willing to talk about the problems its success had caused.

'Tesco said they had learnt a lesson at last. They said that they used to look for a location for Tesco Express because it was a successful store in the right place.

'Now, they will not turn a store into a Tesco Express unless they have parking and an unloading area,' he explained.

'That does not help us but, I have to say, they were fairly positive at the meeting about fixing the problems here. That's a step forward.'

Last week's showdown saw Cllr Coleman, who represents Nyetimber, chair the hard-hitting session with Tesco's regional manager, Paul Tyson, facing county councillors Robin Brown (Bognor Regis West and Aldwick) and George Blampied (Felpham). A senior police officer was also present.

It is likely to be followed by an appearance by a Tesco representative at next month's meeting of the joint western Arun area committee of county, district and parish councils.

Cllr Coleman demanded the meeting last Wednesday after he became frustrated at the unwillingness of Tesco to respond to increasingly angry calls for action about safety conditions outside its stores.

Aldwick Road has been a particular focus of the concerns with district councillors, and local residents, Ken Scutt and Paul Wells, especially vocal in their unhappiness at the dangers caused by large lorries parking in the road for deliveries.

Legal changes last year in the parking arrangements in the layby which enabled it to be kept clear for delivery lorries have failed to provide the hoped-for solution.

l For the Nyetimber store, in Pagham Road, Tesco is seeking to buy some land at the rear.

This would create space for the delivery lorries to park off-road and away from shoppers' parking spaces at the front of the store.