Tesco, Gerrards Cross
Tesco wait adds insult to injury
Posted by Julie Voyce on January 26, 2008 12:54 PM
by Greg Burns
gregburns@trinitysouth.co.uk
RESIDENTS and councillors in Gerrards Cross have expressed frustration that plans for the Tesco store in the village are set to drag on because of uncertainty over the supermarket’s final development.
The supermarket is waiting for a number of approvals from Network Rail before its contractors can begin work on the store in Packhorse Road. The first of these, to remove the store skeleton, was granted last week and this will now start in February.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Work to start in February at Tesco site
Posted by Julie Voyce on January 17, 2008 2:47 PM
by Greg Burns
TESCO has announced they will finally begin work on their controversial Gerrards Cross store next month after getting the go-ahead from Network Rail.
But the supermarket giant has had to put back the store's proposed opening date from March to September 2010.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We are pleased to be so close to starting work on the site. The approval process can be long and frustrating, but it is important that safety is paramount and the experts are given the time they need to check the plans."
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Police to have an office at new Tesco site?
Posted by Sean O'Hare on November 9, 2007 10:27 AM
by Jack Abell
jackabell@trinitysouth.co.uk
A NEW Police Office could be put in place in the car park of the Tesco store in Gerrards Cross when it is finished, in order to step up the police presence in the area.
The idea, put forward by resident Richard Calhoun, has been welcomed by Commander George Wrigley, who says that a similar scheme has already been initiated in Sainsbury’s car park in Taplow.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Judge: Tesco liability is Tesco's
Posted by Julie Voyce on October 5, 2007 2:57 PM
Sean O'Hare
THE INSURANCE policy taken out by Tesco did not cover the supermarket for the collapse of the Gerrards Cross Tunnel, a judge has ruled at a preliminary issues hearing.
At The Commercial Court in The Strand, Mr Justice Field ruled that Tesco, not its public liability insurers, was responsible for compensating Chiltern Railway Company Ltd following the 1995 tunnel collapse and the subsequent 51-day railway line closure.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco road redevelopments
Posted by Julie Voyce on July 26, 2007 11:18 AM
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.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Crowds heckle Tesco meeting
Posted by Julie Voyce on July 5, 2007 3:17 PM
by Sean O'Hare
A MEETING between Tesco and the people of Gerrards Cross turned into a raucous affair last night (July 4).
The tensions rose as the supermarket's apologies and plans for the future were met with derisive cheers and hoots of laughter by the 200 or so protesters that turned out.
For the first time since the Tesco tunnel collapsed above the station in 2005, senior directors from Tesco and its contractors came face to face with villagers to offer an explanation for the collapse and what their plans were for the future.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Network Rail wants more detail of Tesco design
Posted by Julie Voyce on July 2, 2007 11:49 AM
NETWORK Rail has stressed it will have to agree to more detailed designs before any works go ahead in Gerrards Cross.
Tesco has this week said it intends to resume work on the project and produced a conceptual design showing how the tunnel and store will move forward.
But the company also said it will need approval on technical details from Network Rail, which it hopes to have by September.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
How Tesco intends to do it
Posted by Julie Voyce on July 2, 2007 11:45 AM
How Tesco intends to do it:
Tesco will keep the existing tunnel framework and use a crane to add new units where the collapsed occurred.
These units will then be used as a cast for a new reinforced concrete arch, with concrete being poured over them.
While the original panels slotted together, the new arch will be seamless with a layer of extra support to bear the weight of the store and store foundations.
Concrete will be poured from east to west towards Packhorse Road Bridge, accompanied with fill material and water–proofing.
Once the tunnel is complete, a store should take 26 weeks. The store will be the original design but the foundations will be modified.
Tesco say they will also carry out several "road improvements" by December 2009.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
A new tunnel and a new store
Posted by Julie Voyce on July 2, 2007 11:41 AM
By Luke Cross
TESCO has finally confirmed that it intends to carry on building a tunnel and new superstore in Gerrards Cross.
The long-awaited decision by the supermarket giant comes two years after part of the tunnel over the Chiltern Railway line near Packhorse Road, which was being constructed to hold a new store in the centre of the village, came crashing down onto the track, nearly hitting two passenger trains on June 30, 2005.
Tesco is satisfied that it has come to a "safe and workable solution" and has revealed a conceptual design of how it intends to rebuild the tunnel, leaving the existing arches as they stand but building a new reinforced concrete arch over the top.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco decision announced
Posted by Julie Voyce on June 26, 2007 11:51 AM
by Luke Cross
lukecross@trinitysouth.co.uk
TESCO has formally announced its plan to resume building a store in the heart of Gerrards Cross.
The supermarket giant has created a "conceptual design" for the rail tunnel and will submit this to Network Rail, two years after the original tunnel by Packhorse Road collapsed onto the railway line on June 30, 2005.
There will be a public meeting with senior representatives from Tesco and people from contractor, Costain Ltd, at the Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre, East Common, at 7pm on Wednesday, July 4.
While Tesco says construction will not go ahead before a detailed solution and construction programme is passed by Network Rail and a third party, the company has today launched a website laying out plans and a timeframe.
These reflect an indicative programme which was submitted to Bucks County Council at the start of the month and would see work start on the tunnel in February 2008 and the store opening its doors in March 2010.
The plan is to keep the current framework of the tunnel but add new units where the collapsed occurred, then build a new concrete arch above before pouring concrete over the top.
Tesco has apologised for the length of time it has taken on the decision, but a spokesman also said they are "very pleased that a safe and workable solution has now been developed."
For a full, in depth report see Thursday's Advertiser.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco plan dates
Posted by Julie Voyce on June 9, 2007 10:31 AM
By Luke Cross
THE Tesco superstore could open for business in Gerrards Cross at the start of 2010 – almost five years after the project came crashing down onto the railway line, nearly hitting two passenger trains in June 2005.
An "indicative programme" has been set out by the supermarket giant as it is tries to win permission to bring fill material in by rail and transport by a conveyor belt to the construction site on the other side of Packhorse Road.
The company needs to get the go ahead from Buckinghamshire County Council, whose case officer wanted a better idea of when work might take place so he could provide a report to the committee, which is set to decide on the application on Tuesday.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco – The Acton Report
Posted by Julie Voyce on June 8, 2007 9:59 AM
by Neil Mathers
Having written to Sir Terry Leahy a number of times, I had hoped the new report might provide acceptable answers, but instead I find only passing comment and wild assertions. To me the report is completely inadequate, and addresses not one of my concerns. For examples the report says:
• “the use of IBAA for bulk fill purposes is legal in all respects.” There is no evidence it is legal.
• “the IBAA is unequivocally typical of material produced nationally within the UK.” There is no
evidence IBAA at Gerrards Cross is typical. Lead and TOC levels are much higher than normal.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Council say no to Tesco plan
Posted by Julie Voyce on May 27, 2007 12:17 PM
by Greg Burns
TESCO’S aims to gain permission for a three and half years extension to import infill into the Gerrards Cross site were dealt a blow when their proposals were strongly objected by the parish council.
The supermarket giant are asking Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) for permission to import and transport bulk fill to the construction site via a conveyor belt to the west side of Packhorse Road until December 31, 2010.
At a Gerrards Cross parish council planning meeting on Monday May 21, a draft response asking for a year’s extension was put forward, but was immediatley recommended for rejection.
Parish councillor Chris Brown, said: “Gerrards Cross parish council recommended an objection of the Tesco application for a three and a half year application for the siding and conveyor system.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco report says infill is safe
Posted by Luke Cross on May 24, 2007 6:00 PM
By Luke Cross
lukecross@trinitysouth.co.uk
TESCO has hit back at claims that infill material used on the Gerrards Cross project is toxic and dangerous.
The supermarket giant has today (Thursday, May 24) responded to a BBC programme in February, which warned that incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA) used as infill material around the tunnel structure that collapsed onto the railway line in June 2005, is carcinogenic, containing dioxins and a high level of heavy metals.
Tesco hired an independent consultant, Dr Bernard Acton, PhD, MSc, who is a technical director of Environmental Pollution Control, Health and Safety and Occupational Hygiene Ltd, to carry out a review of the material.
Dr Acton says: "From review of the available documentation, recent investigations, sample production and detailed analysis, it is concluded that the use of IBAA has not presented a significant risk to the environment or to human health."
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco bid 'unacceptable'
Posted by Julie Voyce on May 21, 2007 2:36 PM
By Luke Cross
lukecross@trinitysouth.co.uk
TESCO'S bid for three and a half years grace to import infill to the Gerrards Cross site has been branded "insulting" and "totally unacceptable".
The supermarket giant is asking Buckinghamshire County Council for permission to import and transport bulk fill to the construction site via a conveyor belt to the west side of Packhorse Road until December 31, 2010.
This permission is separate from permission to continue construction, which has no expiry date.
The new Gerrards Cross Parish Council held its first meeting on Monday and some councillors were fiercely critical of the move, but were also careful not to dismiss the application altogether and welcome material being imported by road through the heart of the town.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Councillor supports Tesco
Posted by Julie Voyce on April 28, 2007 11:46 AM
By Luke Cross
TESCO has the full support of a Gerrards Cross councillor as it prepares to hit back at health fears raised on a BBC programme.
The supermarket giant will soon respond to the BBC's Inside Out programme, when a Greenpeace scientist said that incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA) used on the site near Packhorse Road is toxic and dangerous.
Tesco is still waiting for final touches to be put to a report by independent environmental consultants, the Alderley Consulting Group. Peter Chapman, chairman of Gerrards Cross Parish Council, met with representatives on Thursday, April 19 and was "very impressed".
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tunnel gouged £35m hole in Tesco profits
Posted by Luke Cross on April 19, 2007 3:28 PM
By Luke Cross
lukecross@trinitysouth.co.uk
THE Tesco tunnel collapse in Gerrards Cross has forced the supermarket giant to write off at least £35 million.
Tesco this week announced record pre-tax profits of £2.6 billion for the financial year to the end of February.
The company is planning a massive expansion and £250 million investment in the United States with the aim of mirroring its unparalleled success in the UK.
But back in Gerrards Cross, one proposed store remains a skeletal, redundant shell after part of the tunnel holding it up collapsed onto the Chiltern Railway line in June 2005.
With each store seen as a "cash-generating unit" and tested for "impairment," the site in Gerrards Cross is apparently haemorrhaging money.
The report says: "We are facing continuing uncertainty in respect of our Gerrards Cross site as a result of the complex legal situation following the tunnel collapse.
"No decision has yet been taken about the future for this site.
"However, at year-end we have written off the carrying value of our existing asset there (an impairment charge of £35m).
"We are not yet in a position to assess any recoveries or liabilities in respect of ongoing claims."
Alan Moore, chairman of the Gerrards Cross Parish Council Tesco working party, said: "In some ways it shows that they are prepared to put a large sum of money in to a venture that will never repay that amount and you wonder how much more is going to be spent for either completing the store or restoring the railway cutting.
"I doubt if they would be able to have recourse to Jackson (Civil Engineering) other than a long, drawn out legal battle that would cost a lot more money.
"I have not seen any indication of the apportioning of blame for what happened almost two years ago.
"I just think people in Gerrards Cross are absolutely fed up with the lack of progress - there are several things you cannot call it and you cannot call it neat and tidy."
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco Talks
Posted by Julie Voyce on April 13, 2007 12:31 PM
By Michael Kissman, Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager
IF YOU only read the newspaper headlines since the collapse of the tunnel in Gerrards Cross, it would be easy to believe that the differences between many local residents and Tesco are irreconcilable.
But our ongoing dialogue with local residents and groups is proving that talking through a problem really does go a long way towards resolving it. Certainly there is more common ground between us than some would care to admit.
We know there are strong feelings on both sides about whether or not Gerrards Cross wants, or needs, a supermarket and we have been part of that debate for a number of years. There is support for a store and there are those who oppose it, but what we have seen in the last few months is agreement on a number of aspects of the site as it stands.
Local residents want a site that is safe for the community and rail users. They do not want material used that would pose a threat to the local environment or public health. They want an informed decision on the future of the project as soon as possible and they want to ensure that all relevant information is made available to them.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Every Letter Helps
Posted by Luke Cross on April 13, 2007 11:00 AM
By Luke Cross
lukecross@trinitysouth.co.uk
TESCO has launched an offensive to win over the Gerrards Cross community, sending out thousands of letters with details of its next move and an assurance that infill material used on site is safe.
About 2,000 residents were due to receive hand-delivered letters from the supermarket giant this week with an "update of developments."
Tesco has also written its own column entitled Tesco Talks, exclusively in this week's Buckinghamshire Advertiser.
While a decision on the future of the project is yet to be made – almost two years after the tunnel structure set to hold the new store collapsed onto the Chiltern Railway line in June 2005, narrowly missing two passenger trains – Tesco is reapplying to transport material to and from the site.
The supermarket is also trying to reassure residents after the BBC's Inside Out programme made daming allegations that the Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate (IBAA) used on the site is toxic and harmful to people's health.
Michael Kissman, spokesman for Tesco, said: "The relevant regulatory bodies are aware of its use and storage, including the local council environmental health teams, the Health and Safety Executive and ther Environment Agency.
"None has raised any concerns about health risks to local residents or environmental harm."
An independent environmental consultant has also been hired.
The supermarket giant is also seeking an extension on haul road consent so it can move material onto the site from the other side of Packhorse Road, avoiding lorries coming in and out of Gerrards Cross.
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | Nowpublic | Reddit
Tesco reassurances slammed
Posted by Julie Voyce on April 6, 2007 12:47 PM
By Luke Cross
lukecross@trinitysouth.co.uk
REASSURANCES made about infill material used on the Tesco tunnel site have been slammed by angry residents who want answers now.
The BBC's Inside Out programme claimed more than five weeks ago that the Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate (IBAA) used to pack the tunnel in the heart of Gerrards Cross is toxic and contains known carcinogens.
Tesco, which was building a new tunnel over the Chiltern Railway line when it collapsed in June 2005, met with local councillors last week and reassured them that it is collating evidence to address concerns.
But this is not good enough for some residents who have been pursuing Tesco since the collapse.
Graham Hoenes, of Bulstrode Way, who has helped organise several Tesco protests in the village, said: "Why are the press and the public barred from these meetings? What are they afraid of?
"Tesco talk about having approval to use IBAA but do not confirm they have any proof that it is safe - environmentally or structurally."
Ros Hurn, of Bulstrode Way, said: "I am horrified at the complacency being shown by Tesco and some of our councillors over this issue.
"This matter is extremely
"Where are the councillaires when you need them? O..."
"The vast majority of local residents in Gerrards C..."
"I would like to say that I think that there is ins..."
"I am pleased to see that you are undertaking speed..."
"I suggest that the Bellhouse Hotel obtain a copy o..."