PROTESTERS have predicted traffic gridlock if plans to build a new supermarket in Ryedale are given the go ahead without road improvements.

German retailer Lidl has applied for permission to site a store on the former coalyard site at Vivis Lane in Pickering, sparking fears from local campaign groups.

Mike Potter from Pickering Civic Society said three years ago consultants urged that the traffic lights linking Vivis Lane, the Ropery and the A170 should be made into a conventional crossroad or roundabout.

He said: “I am less than impressed to find that despite Lidl claiming to have consulted extensively with both North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council, no account has been taken of the need to use the old coalyard site for the necessary road realignment. Either this strategy has been ignored or the application has proceeded in ignorance of the strategy.”

He said recent housing developments and the county council’s plans to sell its area traffic office and highways depot for redevelopment further compounded traffic problems in the heart of the market town.

He added: “I think a lot of people in the town would be quite happy about Lidl going there, but they may not appreciate the importance of this junction and I’m annoyed that no one seems to be forcing the developers to do what the town needs.”

North Yorkshire County Council’s Pickering member, Coun Greg White said the authority is aware of concerns over traffic in the town but its hands are tied.

He said: “Although it is likely that the current Lidl proposal will have an adverse traffic impact, particularly at certain key times, the scale is something that will have to be objectively assessed by independent expert consultants.

“Highways can only comment on a planning application on its individual merits . Overstating the case would simply result in an appeal which the council would lose. The decision whether to grant or refuse planning permission is a matter for the district council planning committee.”

A date has yet to be set by planners to discuss the proposals and bosses from the supermarket deny there will be traffic problems from the development.

Chris Blyth from Lidl said: “The consultants that Lidl have commissioned for this proposal, Faber Maunsell, are used by highways authorities through the country.

“After assessing the current and proposed traffic levels they have determined there will be no significant impact on the junction.

“The consultants have investigated the possibility of a roundabout, which would not improve the traffic flow and increase the danger to pedestrians crossing the road. “The realignment of the junction has been considered. However it was discounted due to safety concerns due to the delivery lorry having to reverse along the highway to access to store and increased risk of flooding if the store were to be relocated.”

He added that they would be prepared to fund possible improvements to the existing traffic lights, if necessary.

“Lidl is currently awaiting a formal response from North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department regarding the planning application, however in pre-application discussions with Faber Maunsell the council did not request or suggest any specific improvement measures.

“Discussions are clearly ongoing in order to achieve consent and deliver a highways solution which is acceptable to all parties.”