A local resident had his letter to the editor of the Financial Times published in yesterday's (Friday) issue. The letter was in response to the article (24 Jan) St. Albans Unites in Anger Over Tesco Plan for Site.
In his letter published 26 January, James Craigen of St Albans (AL1 1AJ) wrote:
"Sir, While I have no objection to supermarkets in general, and their growing influence on our retail economy, the objectives and apparent tactics of Tesco in St Albans deserve rebuke ("St Albans unites in anger over planned branch", January 24).
In recent years the main supermarkets have expanded their exposure to shoppers. Their success is to be applauded, as a profitable business that creates employment and makes pricing more competitive is surely a net contributor to the economy.
What the residents of St Albans oppose is Tesco's systematic buying of a large spread of land in the centre of the town, leaving it to rot for years (in order to fly to the rescue with a plan to regenerate it), and the lack of town centre road capacity. In addition, properties within the boundary of the planned development also include locally listed cottages and town houses that would be demolished.
Should the supermarket be approved, it would be a huge magnet for yet more traffic when the roads in central St Albans are already gridlocked at the best of times, while the structure of the town means dual carriageways cannot be magically introduced. Just as important, the historic nature of the town would be eroded. This cannot be allowed to happen, as eventually central St Albans will lose its character.
I look forward to seeing how Tesco intends to achieve the impossible when it reveals its plans this weekend."
Have you spotted other coverage (thanks for sending this to us Simon!) of the St. Albans Tesco please let us know - links are greatly appreciated: tescocampaign@yahoo.co.uk
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