New Milton residents raise safety fears to town council over lorry movements outside new Tesco Express opening soon on Station Road

THERE are safety concerns over lorry movements around a new Tesco set to open in New Milton.

Two residents contacted the town council over deliveries being made to the Express store, which will open at 25-27 Station Road on Friday 6th June.

One of them told last Thursday’s planning committee meeting he had seen them parking on double yellow lines to offload before reversing onto the main road.

He shared fears it was causing a hazard on the stretch of road north of the railway station.

The other complainant had phoned the council, said assistant town clerk Theresa Elliott, who told the meeting planning enforcement had been informed.

However, she said there were no specific conditions to enforce against as the unit had not been subject to a change-of-use application.

Committee chair Cllr Steve Clarke explained unloading was often allowed on double yellow lines depending on type. But he stressed other actions would need to be monitored.

Vice-chair Cllr Paul Moores was expected to speak to the store manager.

As reported in the A&T, the new Tesco Express will open in a unit which for many years was occupied by Williams Bridge garage. More recently, it was Old’s Cool Occasions.

There is already another branch half a mile away on Old Milton Road.