by Sean O'Hare
TESCO'S eventual arrival in Gerrards Cross will see a radical redevelopment of Packhorse Road.
A crossroads, with the accompanying traffic islands and signal lights will be established at the store's entrance, oppostite Station Approach.
The railway bridge connecting the two ends of the road will cease to exist, by virtue of the store's front replacing the wall that currently shields pedestrians from the steel frame as they cross, giving the impression of one, long uninterrrupted road.
The store's entrance will then run parallel to Marsham Way, down to the back of the store and into the parking area with 307 spaces.
Building work is expected to start in Spring 2009, one year from the shop's opening date.
James Leslie, former resident of Gerrards Cross, now living in Heatherden Green, Iver, said: "What I want to know is what is going to happen to the traffic along Packhorse Road.
"It is much much too big a development for what is a small street and the surrounding infrastructure is just not big enough to cope with the increase in traffic that will come with all the shoppers.
"The traffic lights will mean that traffic will back up all along Packhorse Road and overflow into the smaller surrounding streets."
Tesco spokesman Michael Kissman, explained that traffic and access considerations were an important part of the original planning application for the store.
He said: "The approved plans will improve the junction at the station and the store entrance, with turning lanes to ensure a good flow of traffic.
"In particular, we hope the extra space along the bridge will be safer for both motorists and pedestrians – anyone walking along the bridge pavement at the moment will know how tight it can be with even just one person walking the other way.
"These plans will open up the village centre and create better connections betwen each end of the street."
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