9:11am Friday 3rd July 2009
By Telegraph & Argus
SIR – Philip Bartram correctly says Asda submitted a transport assessment along with its expansion proposals for its Shipley store (Letters, June 5).
I would like to make it clear that this assessment was not available on the Council’s website when I drafted my original objection, and officers have since apologised to me for this oversight.
Even so, Asda’s transport assessment makes grim reading.
It shows that traffic accessing the store could rise by 10 per cent if their plans are approved – 150,000 more cars driving into Shipley town centre each year.
Asda will increase its car park by nearly a third to accommodate these cars, but will install just seven more cycle staples.
I thing the fact that these will be unsheltered, unlike their trolley parks, gives us a revealing insight into Asda’s commitment to sustainable transport.
The Bradford and District Chamber of Commerce has objected to the plans, cast doubt on Asda’s promises of extra jobs and is concerned about the future of our local shops.
Unprecedented numbers of residents have also objected; hundreds more signed our protest petition.
We urge the Council to reject Asda’s expansion plan for the sake of Shipley’s shops, Shipley’s residents and Shipley’s environment.
Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley) Moorhead Terrace, Shipley, Bradford
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