WISBECH: Lidl told to down tools by December 6 to end the Christmas gridlock on Cromwell Road

By ADAM LAZZARI

WORKMEN preparing access to the new Lidl store in Wisbech have been ordered to down tools by December 6.

Road works being carried out by contractors working for the German company have caused traffic gridlock to the Cromwell Road and Weasenham Lane areas.

The work involves upgrading the Cromwell Road mini-roundabout junction and installing traffic lights and a slip road.

Cambridgeshire County Council officers and businessmen and women fear that if the work continued, trade could be badly affected as businesses, already coping with a recession, prepare for the Christmas period.

A spokesman for the council, said: "We have contacted Lidl and told them that they must stop road works by December 6, even if the work has not been completed, and the road must be left in a condition where it can be used freely by traffic.

"They would not then be able to resume work until the last week of January."

However Ian Ross, Lidl's construction executive for the region, said: "I'm confident that we will be able to complete the work by the end of November.

"The store is due to open on December 8 and we plan to have everything ready for that date."

Oliver Tookman, director of the clothes shop, Robert Goddard, on Bridge Street, is frustrated that the Somers Road car park, behind his shop, has been closed for resurfacing, at the same time as all of the road works at Lidl.

He said: "People take forever to get into Wisbech and they then have nowhere to park when they get there.

"It has already had a significant impact on my trade and several other businessmen and women have told me the same."

*Earlier this week the work on the site caused a gas scare after a pipe was burst on Sandown Road.

Customers and staff were locked in the rival supermarket Tesco for about two hours for safety reasons, while the situation was resolved.

The area was cordoned off and the nearby Cromwell Road was closed.