Construction work for Aylesbury’s new Sainsbury’s store will begin on Monday, January 25.
The supermarket will be built on the corner of Bicester Road and Gatehouse Road, joining other chains such as Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, and B&M within the town.
This will no doubt cause several delays on the roads as there will be a ‘new traffic signal controlled, four-way junction’, which will ‘provide access to the new site from Gatehouse Road and will include the current Gatehouse Way turn-off’ according to Buckinghamshire Council.
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Also, the council revealed that ‘this section of Gatehouse Road will be widened to two-lanes each way on either side of the junction and include new street lighting, signage and road markings’ with there being ‘crossing facilities’ for pedestrian and cyclists if they were to go to the area.
There will also be pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities provided on the Bicester Road for those who have to make their way through the area.
Buckinghamshire Council cabinet member for transport, Nick Naylor said: "The work had been scheduled to start at the end of February, however, given the reduced traffic levels as a result of the latest Covid-19 lockdown, it made sense to start earlier."
"The access works are expected to take around seven months to complete and every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum both for motorists and local businesses."
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The location of the new Sainsbury’s supermarket will be a short walk from the town’s biggest store, a Tesco Extra, on Broadfields and it will be the second Sainsbury’s in Aylesbury.
The other branch is on Buckingham Street which is right next to both of the town’s shopping centres.
Fellow cabinet member Steve Bowles, who is responsible for town centre Regeneration added: "This is another important investment for Aylesbury and its economy.
“Local people will know this site has been unused for many years, so it’s great to see the start of its new development, together with the jobs and prosperity the new Sainsbury's store will bring to the town, particularly at this most difficult and testing time.”
Sainsbury’s property director, Patrick Dunne added: “We’re grateful for the local support for our new supermarket and we’re looking forward to welcoming our customers through the doors.
“This state-of-the-art store will provide the community with a safe, fresh and convenient shopping destination.
“We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we work to finish the store and the surrounding infrastructure as quickly and safely as possible.”
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