An Ashby-based haulage firm says the addition of another supermarket on the Nottingham Road junction could cause even more gridlock in the area than there is now.

Lidl's plans to demolish the existing Ashfield House and build a new supermarket in its place, have been lodged with North West Leicestershire District Council for over a year now and it is anticipated that they will present their case at the next planning committee meeting this month.

But there are fears that opening another supermarket in an area already served by Tesco and Aldi, with B&M and M&S nearby, would only add to the current levels of congestion around Resolution Road.

Ashby de la Zouch District and Town Council councillor, Murrae Blair-Park, has already made his opposition to the scheme known for that reason.

Now local businesses based nearby on Coalfield Way, also fear the proposed development would lead to even more traffic problems.

Cllr Blair-Park told Ashby Nub News that one company had issued him with a statement about the prospect of another supermarket in this area.

He quoted EV Cargo's Chief Executive, Andy Humpherson, as saying: "The current stores in this area are a great boost to the local economy.

"But we suffer from gridlock at peak traffic periods every day with the main island becoming blocked with traffic in all directions, which makes Coalfield Way a no-go zone, as there are delays in entering and exiting the area, we would encourage the council to review the traffic control and flows in the immediate vicinity, any further retail developments and applications should be put on hold until we know the road infrastructure can cope with increased levels of traffic."

Ashfield House in Resolution Road, Ashby. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

Cllr Blair-Park added: "This is what businesses in this area are saying.

"My issue is there are other places to put Lidl, but the problem is that Lidl is not acknowledging the problem in the area.

"There's only certain things you can do in the area regarding traffic.

"We don't want to suppress business in any way.

"But the investment in infrastructure needs to match that."

Cllr Blair-Park says that Lidl have also been closing stores recently, he added: "Lidl already have two stores in close proximity to each other - one in Coalville and another in Swadlincote. What if they decide they don't want three, would they close one?"

Cllr Blair-Park also says there that Lidl are presently seeking investors to pay for their store expansion plans at which time they would sell on the freehold and lease back the site.(Grocery 23.03.24). 

He added: "It would have been far more considered if Lidl had spoken and canvassed the opinion of the community, in terms of location, but it seems that's not their style. I would welcome a conversation with their acquisitions team."