Call to turn former Aldi into multi-storey to curb town congestion - The Evesham Observer

Call to turn former Aldi into multi-storey to curb town congestion

Evesham Editorial 4th Mar, 2022   0

EVESHAM’s former Aldi store on Swan Lane should be purchased and converted into multi-storey car park in a bid to curb the town’s chronic traffic problems.

That’s the view of former environmental health and planning consultant James T Powell who also told the Observer the prospect of 200 homes on Abbey Road was a ‘disaster’ which will only increase congestion in the town.

The former Aldi site has lain empty since the German supermarket giant closed it in April last year but according to Mr Powell it could be the source of a solution to curb the issued faced by commuters on a daily basis.

“The old Aldi supermarket should be purchased and reconstructed to provide a multi-storey car park and shops or offices on the ground floor,” he said.




“School buses and those serving the town should be parked in the current car park area.

“Oat Street should remain a one-way street but giving access to the High Street going north.”


Mr Powell referred to a meeting at Evesham Town Hall more than a quarter of a century ago in which an eminent historian/surveyor said the historic buildings within Evesham had great potential.

“After considerable applause, he then said unfortunately it would never work due to lack of parking in the town and the serious traffic problems,” he said.

“Some years later, Worcestershire County Council, supported by Wychavon District Council, spent thousands of pounds transforming the town. This resulted in reduced parking and obstructing traffic flow which has resulted in more chaos.

“Recently, the highways authority have produced a plan for cycle and footpaths around the Vale, including the town centre.

“After consultation with a renowned traffic engineer, now is the time to consider a one-way system with roundabouts and a 20mph limit.

“Any further development, other than this proposed one way system, will cause further traffic congestion.

“The 200 house which are planned to be built in the near future at Abbey Road, on the best ground in the Vale of Evesham, is another disaster which will increase the town’s problems,” Mr Powell added.

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