Date: 20th April 2004
Released by: ANDREW TURNER

Traffic and economic implications of new superstores should be considered before any more get the go-ahead, says Island MP Andrew Turner.

It is rumoured that ASDA has been looking to open an outlet on the Island and the Council has been working with the German chain Aldi to identify sites in towns such as East Cowes and Ventnor.

But Mr Turner has pointed to the Council’s own assessment of the impact of new superstores on cross-Solent traffic as a justification for planners to demand that a ‘green transport plan’ be provided with any new planning application.

Mr Turner said,
“Transport portfolio-holder Cllr Ernie Fox tells us that for every person on the Island the equivalent of two trailer-loads of goods comes across the Solent each year. This has created a real problem for the ferry companies, with the result that they are seeking more space to store trailers and (in the case of Wightlink) to berth car ferries at Ryde Pier. The more superstores we allow, the greater the volume of cross-Solent traffic will be, and the more the Council will come under pressure to build more roads, allow more trailer parks, and permit changes to Ryde Pier.

“Council planners can stop this. They should be asking any new superstore company to provide a ‘green transport plan’, minimizing the amount of produce they bring from the mainland and the distance it travels by road, and they should be encouraging the sale of Island-sourced produce to maintain the Island’s rural economy.”