THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

Proposed site of new TESCO Express store shaded in red (Picture courtesy Google Earth)

Dateline:  24 January 2010

Supermarket giant TESCO has stepped into a war of words, with local residents and traders apparently both supporting and in opposition of its proposed new TESCO Express store in Bloxwich.

The Lichfield Road store, which could be built on the corner of Selmans Hill, would occupy the site of a former ESSO petrol station which has been an abandoned and derelict eyesore for many years.  And although such a store would be an improvement to the location, it is its likely side-effects that have raised hackles locally.

Looking at the satellite photograph, above, it seems likely that, located on a busy crossroads with traffic lights and nearby bus stops, and next to a pub (the Knave of Hearts, currently closed but proposed for expansion), such a development would significantly increase traffic congestion and queuing in the immediate area, which already suffers from heavy traffic as well as school run congestion from the nearby Walsall Academy.

In addition, increased traffic could also raise safety issues for the Academy's pupils.  If the Knave re-opens and becomes popular once more, this already extremely busy main road could easily become an even worse bottleneck on the route to Pelsall, Brownhills and Lichfield, as evidenced by the severe effect of roadworks late last year.

Moreover, such a development seems likely to destroy the business of at least one of the adjacent Selmans Parade shops, which were built on Selmans Hill in the 1960s (see the block of white roofs immediately above the red area in the picture).  While a Walsall Council consultation apparently claims that 300 responses from residents have supported the development, a local petition has also raised 300 signatures from residents who are against it.

Local businessman, Randhir Singh, has said: “The people who have signed the petition strongly object to making this dangerous road even more dangerous.

“There is a school nearby with 400 pupils and it’s chaos just getting the kids to the school, and especially when they are finished at about 3.45pm. It`s only a small site and it`s going to cause a lot of problems.

“It will harm my business. It will probably close me down. We are only small and struggling in the credit crunch, so my livelihood is on the line.”

It is also possible that the new store could affect the business of other small local shops, of which there are several on the nearby Lower Farm and Blakenall Heath estates. 

Walsall Council will discuss the proposal in February. Meanwhile, if you have an opinion on the matter, feel free to write in to The Bloxidge Tallygraph via our Contact page.

Sources: www.TheYamYam.com and the Walsall Advertiser.

See also today's Bloxidge Tallygraph Edditorial for comment.

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