Traffic fears see councillors put Tesco development on hold again

The parish council members agreed on Monday to say a traffic review into the plans for the Tesco Express branch had failed to overcome their concerns.

The report did not even address their original worries about the impact of the convenience store on the busy Felpham Way.

It is estimated the store would have 47 vehicles arriving and 48 departing during each peak hour.

Cllr Graham Matthews said: "Because of these concerns, the parish council feel that any decision should be deferred once more until the points raised are clarified or resolved."

The proposals were originally put on hold by Arun District Council in February when its members wanted more information about how customers and deliveries would reach the store.

That extra information has been compiled by consultants. Arun is set to reconsider the application at its development control committee on July 15.

Its members will do so with Felpham Parish Council still strongly objecting to the location of the planned store.

It is intended to replace a car showroom at the roundabout where the A259 Felpham Way and Middleton Road meet.

Cllr Matthews said a ban on deliveries to the store between 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm should be imposed if it was given the go-ahead to avoid disrupting peak time traffic.

No deliveries should take place at night to stop nearby residents being disturbed, he added.

Only a traffic count survey and detailed junction plans would reassure the parish councillors the store would not interfere with the roads.

These two demands are line with the recommendations from the consultants, WSP Development and Transportation.

Among the parish councillors' previous concerns was the store's location next to a children's play area and close to two schools.

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