Otley shoppers will be able to park free for four hours at the town's new Sainsbury's supermarket.

Two new pedestrian crossings and changes to road junctions have also been made conditions of the planning permission for the new Bondgate store.

Conditional planning permission for the 20,000 sq ft store and 227 space car park was given by Leeds City Council in May this year.

Since then, highways officers have been coming up with plans for Bondgate, Station Road and Kirkgate to cope with the expected increase in traffic.

The current zebra crossing on Bondgate will be upgraded to a controlled pelican crossing in addition to a second one on Bondgate and a third one on Kirkgate.

A council spokeswoman said adjustments will also have to be made to the junction of Station Road and Burras Lane. "Adjustments will be made to the junction of Bondgate/Station Road and Burras Lane to accommodate heavy goods vehicles and a Traffic Regulation Order will be imposed, restricting parking on Station Road to provide access for servicing," she said.

"The car park provided as part of the development will be available to the general public allowing shoppers to stay for up to four hours."

Meanwhile, Sainsbury's refuses to comment on its earlier statement that it intends to start work on the new store in September - despite assurances from the fire authority that the necessary demolition and replacement of Otley Fire Station will not even be considered until the outcome of a nationwide review of fire cover expected early next year.

Sainsbury's has been told it will have to come up with a replacement fire station before it starts work on the new store.

But the West Yorkshire Fire Authority says no decision on the future of the current station will be made until January next year.

The principal of the Otley centre of Park Lane College, which will also have to be demolished if the store is built, said talks were still ongoing with Sainsbury's to find a replacement building.

Tony Longworth said: "We have met with people on the development side of Sainsbury's and have reiterated the college's needs for a centre located on or as near as possible to the present site. We need to maintain our presence in Otley and Sainsbury's needs to help us relocate.

"We are very clear that we will be maintaining our position in Otley."