Pay-at-pump plans may ease Bridgnorth congestion

Tesco could introduce a 'pay-at-pump' facility at its petrol station in Bridgnorth to help alleviate traffic chaos in the town.

The filling station is the only one left in the town following the closure of Rutters Garage this year. It has led to queues building up to the Wolverhampton roundabout, with cars parking in the nearby bus stop for customers to get easy access into the filling station's convenience store.

Residents say they are getting fed up with problems being caused by the garage and have set up a Facebook campaign to boycott the station.

Tesco said trade had increased considerably over the past two years after the closure of other petrol stations and it was exploring several options to improve traffic flow.

Bridgnorth resident Ian Fielding said when the town was left with only one filling station it was 'disastrous' for the Low Town roads.

He said: "In the last few years the Bridgnorth economy has suffered to such an extent that we are now only left with this sole petrol station.

"The problem is caused by too many customers for fuel on the forecourt and this causes queues to spill out onto the main A442.

"This in turn causes congestion onto the actual roundabout at the junction with the Wolverhampton Road."

Mr Fielding said the forecourt needed to be managed better because the A442 was a major road.

He said: "Most of the problems are caused by shoppers parking at the pumps, or in the bus stop, which adds to the congestion and the danger of injury.

"It is an offence to park in a bus stop."

A Tesco spokesman said: "We are aware that the store is often congested and would like to apologise to customers for this inconvenience.

"We are currently exploring several options to improve traffic flow, including introducing a 'pay at pump' facility."

By Simon Hardy