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 06/06/2008, 12:34 PM
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mistley
Joined on 06/06/2008
Posts 2
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I am surprised to find our MP Bernard Jenkin quibbling at this stage about where Tesco is planning to site the car park of its proposed store in Manningtree. The debate is and should still be about whether the store is wanted at all.
He should question Tesco closely on the impact the store would have on traffic flow in the area. How many more vehicle journeys each day would it generate? How would these affect access to the station and the shopping high street? What about pollution and road safety for all the families in the area? How about Victoria Cresent, the obvious cut through for when the Tesco access snarls up.
Once the store is built there will be no going back in terms of congestion. Tesco itself admits not much can be done to improve the station roundabout, let alone the roads through Manningtree.
Say no to the store now, or at the very least keep it small, and with enforceable limits on future expansion.
In its current form and situation, the new store will exert a stranglehold on Manningtree, and the congestion it will cause will cut it and Mistley off from the A12 and the mainline railway.
Don't let the offer of a few jobs blind you to those that will be lost, and sway you into supporting a store that will slowly choke Manningtree to death.
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06/06/2008, 6:46 PM
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Andy
Joined on 14/02/2008
Posts 9
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As a Manningtree resident, I would like to note that there is some division in the opinions of local people and traders on this issue. As far as I can see, the advantage of a Tesco hypermarket is that it could potentially encourage shoppers, who would otherwise go to Colchester or Ipswich, to stay in Manningtree and possibly make use of the local shops and pubs. Sadly, over the last few decades there has been a consistant decline in the traders operating in the High Street, and what used to be available locally now usually means a car trip.
What is a legitimate concern to Manningtree traders is the undercutting of prices leading to business closures and less consumer choice too. For instance, only Stour News in station road offers a comprehensive selection of periodicals, which is unmatched by most of the Tesco/Sainsbury/Safeway stores I have visited. Also, people like to build relationships with local business people, which is near impossible to achieve with a hypermarket with many staff and managers. People like small shops, as they are reliant on word of mouth for trade, and will often go out of the way to assist a customer and offer impartial advice.
I have serious concern about the location of the superstore, however, particularly due to the lack of major roads in Manningtree and the congestion, bad already, which could be caused. I believe a better site could be at the top end of New Road, opposite Acorn Village, as the road infrastructure is better in that part of the town. A retail park could be developed on that site, with easy access from the A120, and a free bus service could be provided from the town centre.
What is really needed to save Manningtree Town is a massive cut in business rates, for companies which by providing a local, personal service are essentially "social enterprises"
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13/06/2008, 12:58 PM
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mistley
Joined on 06/06/2008
Posts 2
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I agree about the business rates: is anyone doing anything about it?
Easing access to Manningtree town centre for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooter users etc would boost trade too. Where are the cycle lanes to and from the station: raised junctions at south street, level access to shops etc?
Once Tesco opens who would bother fighting down the High street to visit Townsends for cards, the heath food shop, the toy shop, the bakers, the chemists, the green grocers.. ..
Even at Hadleigh, where they are fighting a Tesco superstore, the road access is far better, in a way that it could never be at Manningtree without demolishing dozens of homes!
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EADT Forums » General » News » Manningtree Tesco
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