Tesco store delays traffic work

Work on the new one-way traffic system in Welshpool will begin three months later than expected because of the new Tesco development, it has been revealed.

The one-way system, which is part of a multi-million pound shopping scheme, will mean major changes to Broad Street and Brook Street.

It will affect most of the town's main streets.

Town clerk Robert Robinson said today: "Work on the one-way system through the centre of town was planned to start in September to enable a November start for the Tesco scheme.

"But we've been told that work will now start on the one-way system in the new year as the highways engineers will not deal with this aspect of the plan until the detailed Tesco application has been dealt with.

"I'm hoping to meet with highways officials in the next few weeks to express our concern over the delays because we want it done as soon as possible."

He said the detailed application for Tesco was expected to go before the planning committee in Welshpool on September 15.

"The one-way system is part of a major scheme which will see see Welshpool's livestock market move to the outskirts of the town and a major retail park built on the site," he said.

Oswestry-based J Ross Developments will provide the town with a Tesco supermarket and almost 4,000 sq ft of non-food stores.

Also included is a petrol filling station and a canalside cafe/restaurant.

The scheme will create up to 400 jobs.

The one-way system road plans would see traffic restricted to moving northwards on Broad Street to the junction with Jehu Road, where it will continue until travelling southwards down Brook Street to the junction with Church Street.