SAINSBURY S delivery lorries will not clog up Saffron Walden s roads if a new supermarket gets the go-ahead, the developer has said. Representatives from the supermarket giant, who hope to build a new store on Thaxted Road, submitted an application to Utt

SAINSBURY'S delivery lorries will not clog up Saffron Walden's roads if a new supermarket gets the go-ahead, the developer has said.

Representatives from the supermarket giant, who hope to build a new store on Thaxted Road, submitted an application to Uttlesford District Council this week.

The application follows a public exhibition which was held in Saffron Walden Town Hall in October.

Sainsbury's development surveyor, Michael Morris, said: "The Sainsbury's project team would like to thank everyone who attended the exhibition and took the time to give feedback.

"Many of the respondents were very enthusiastic about Sainsbury's coming to town, focusing on the proposed caf� and wider choice of goods. Others queried how traffic would work, and we would like to assure members of the public that we have been working with the county council's highways department to address traffic flow.

"In particular, we have been looking at HGV delivery routes as a result of exhibition feedback. In response, we have identified a safer and less intrusive route with Essex County Council that will enable delivery vehicles to approach from the south, and not through the town centre or other residential areas of Saffron Walden.

"Although we have now submitted the planning application for the district council to examine, we will continue to keep open our community hotline and email address and maintain dialogue with anyone who is interested in the plans."

The proposed route will see delivery lorries travel south along the B184 Thaxted Road and not into the town.

There will be between six and eight delivery vehicles - some of which will be HGVs - coming to the store during any 24-hour period, although not during peak hours to minimise traffic impact.

The developers have also put forward a number of proposals to improve access to the store including installing traffic lights, widening roads and adding pedestrian crossings.

More information at Sainsbury's Saffron Walden community line: 0800 019 2205, by visiting www.sainsburys-saffronwalden.co.uk or by e-mailing: info@sainsburys-saffronwalden.co.uk