Labour Councillor for Collingwood Ward, Ian Grayson, is becoming increasingly concerned that the potential benefits to North Tyneside are being lost by the Council delaying tactics over the new Tesco store on Norham Road, North Shields.

Tesco’s have informed local residents that they have submitted plans to the Council for the much needed road improvements. However Councillor Grayson is concerned that because of the Councils opposition to the store, local residents will be the ones who suffer the consequences.

Councillor Ian Grayson says, “ I feel that if the Council had worked with Tesco in securing the best outcome for the area then so much more could be achieved. Obviously additional mitigation measures could have been considered which would have included possible improvements to the Coast Road and Billy Mill round about and many more safety measures”.

He added “ There is so much more that Tesco have to offer the area and the residents, including possibly subsidising local bus services. Tesco have also worked with local councils in other areas of the Country to reduce long term and youth unemployment”.

Tesco have improved the old Tyne Tees Motor Auction building without changing the external appearance and they claim that they are not in breach of any planning laws.

Councillor Ian Grayson feels that time is running out and that positive dialogue needs to take place between Mayor Morgan and Tesco’s urgently, otherwise local residents will lose out on the benefits to be gained.

Councillor Grayson has set up a vote on the Tesco store on his web page. If you wish to express your views please write to him via the Town Hall Wallsend, or use the contact form on this web site.

Note
As yet Councillor Grayson has not received a response from the Mayor to the first letter he wrote some weeks ago. Time has lapsed and the situation remains the same.

For more information please feel free to contact Councillor Ian Grayson.