Controversial plans for a new £10m Aldi store have been turned down by councillors amidst worries over traffic chaos and road safety. The proposed 1,800 sq ft outlet had been earmarked for Chorley New Road close to the Beehive roundabout, known for its heavy congestion, and near the Toughsheet Stadium home of Bolton Wanderers FC.
Access to the store was designed via a new slip road off Chorley New Road with an exit involving a separate junction leading onto De Havilland Way, regulated by a set of traffic lights.
At a Bolton town hall planning committee session, Bryn Richards, Aldi’s real estate director, pitched the project, stating: "This would be our eighth store in Bolton and together with our regional distribution centre we already employ about 1,500 people in the borough. ” He added, “This store will add to our commitment to Bolton.
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"The land for redevelopment is a long-standing objective for the council with it being allocated for employment generating purposes. Aldi will create at least 40 full-time equivalent jobs with the highest pay in food retail, above the real living wage."
He further emphasised the potential economic boost: "The proposal is a vote of confidence in the local economy with our investment expected to be £10m."
Bolton Council's highways experts suggested that new traffic signals on De Havilland Way could improve conditions around the Beehive roundabout by creating ‘breaks in traffic’ for those using Chorley New Road, reports .
Several councillors voiced their concerns about the potential traffic and road safety issues in an already congested area. Coun Sue Priest expressed her worries, stating: "I don't know how the exit will work, it will be bedlam."
She added, "I cannot see how this will enhance or mitigate the severe congestion that we already have. There is severe congestion in the area and this will only add to it."
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Coun David Grant raised his concerns, saying: "The number one concern is for road safety. The access and egress to the store will interfere with footpaths and cycling routes. This causes significant risk, increased traffic flow will create hazardous conditions. This is especially concerning given these paths are used by children and families. The potential for accidents and injury will increase."
Competitors Lidl objected on the grounds of loss of employment land and that transport and accessibility measures fail against the council policy.
Tesco, who have a large superstore a few hundred yards from the site, also objected, stating there had been 'inadequate retail assessment of the impact'. The planning committee unanimously rejected the plans.
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