Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors have voted to let Tesco build a new superstore on Grafton Way.  While investment in Ipswich is to be welcomed, there are serious concerns about the effect this development will have on the rest of the town.

Traffic

The proposed new store is a huge superstore, bigger than Tesco’s at Copdock.

Suffolk County Council say it will increase traffic by a massive 68% on Grafton Way and up to 36% on the Duke Street and Civic Drive roundabouts.

Ipswich Borough Council claims that these problems can by overcome by making alterations to the Novotel and Civic Drive roundabouts.  But Ipswich people know what traffic is like already.  Common sense tells us that traffic congestion will be much worse if this goes ahead.

Effects on the town centre

Ipswich has more than 90 empty shops.

There are two large vacant sites in the town centre ready and waiting for development.

If the Tesco development goes ahead:

•  More shops will close and jobs will be lost as a result.

•  The Civic Centre site and the Mint Quarter site on Cox Lane will remain empty and derelict for years to come.

•  The town centre will inevitably be blighted; it is unlikely that we will be able to attract stores like John Lewis or Waitrose to Ipswich.

More Flats

The Tesco development includes 129 flats.  Everyone knows there are already too many flats in Ipswich; the town needs more affordable family houses.

For all these reasons Labour councillors voted against Tesco’s plans.  On balance, they are bad for our town.

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