Shop chain issues 'green' travel plan

A supermarket chain has published a green travel plan ahead of the start of work on a store.

Construction of a Waitrose, in Springfield Street, Market Harborough - one of the busiest routes in town - is expected to begin soon.

The store is scheduled to open later this year and will employ 120 full and part-time staff.

The company said it wanted to encourage staff and shoppers to visit the store by foot, bicycle or public transport.

It will appoint a travel co-ordinator to reduce car journeys by employees.

Development manager Nigel Keen said the company would do what it could to reduce congestion on the road, which serves three more supermarkets and a parade of other shops.

Mr Keen said: "If we can all modify our travel choices, we can start to make a difference.

"But we need to make it easier for staff and customers to make alternative choices about the way they travel so their good intentions are translated into positive change."

Suggestions include car-sharing and offering staff help to buy bicycles and season tickets on public transport.

Deliveries would be cut to a minimum and timed to cause the least impact on the road.

However, the shop is providing 185 parking spaces with the neighbouring Aldi store, with up to 90 minutes of free parking.

Liberal Democrat District councillor Phil Knowles said: "I welcome the company's decision to try to reduce its impact on Springfield Street, which is a particularly congested route."

However, he said many customers would come from nearby villages.

He said: "There is little alternative to the car for those customers as public transport to many outlying villages is not adequate."

Before the store can be built, constructors will have to demolish the former Sandicliffe garage on the site which is currently being used as a furniture store.