Concern expressed over Tesco start date

11.45.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Sep 2006

Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr David McBride is writing to Tesco to ask that they delay the demolition of Orpington's Station Road car park until after Christmas.

In a Council report debated this week, it is predicted that the handover of the car park will be in November. It is also stated that the closure and demolition of the car park will start immediately. The payment to the Council of £17 million will also be paid at this point.

At the Council's Executive meeting, Cllr McBride was told by officers that the work could start after Christmas, but he is writing to Tesco to make sure.

"Residents and traders in Orpington have already been disrupted with the work going on in the High Street at the moment," Cllr McBride said. "This work is due to finish in October and the last thing that is wanted is the car park to be demolished immediately after this work and in the run up to Christmas. I will be writing to Tesco to ask that they wait until after Christmas to start work on the site," he added.