Residents are preparing to once again fight proposals for a Tesco Express store at the junction of Drury Road with Maldon Road, Colchester

At a well-attended public meeting on Thursday night in Christ Church, off Maldon Road, some 120 people discussed the best ways to beat the supermarket giant's plans.

A previous application was withdrawn at the last minute, but now a marginally-altered scheme has been put forward to planners.

The main areas of concern are safety issues, particularly considering the increase in traffic it was felt the store - on the site of the former Nigel Grogan Garage - would generate.

Also causing worries was the noise nuisance which could be caused to local residents because of proposed long opening hours and delivery lorries' movements.

Although Tesco claims in similar stores about half of the customers arrive on foot that still meant the other 50 per cent would be in vehicles.

Published Monday October 28, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette