POLITICAL leaders in South Bucks are calling on Tesco to scrap its superstore development in Gerrards Cross.

MP Dominic Grieve and Peter Hardy, leader of South Bucks District Council, are in agreement that dumping the plans would benefit the community.

Cllr Hardy said: "If they continue with the project it means there is going to be further years of disruption, and we do not know if the design was at fault or the construction.

"If there is to be further years of disruption it would be better to abandon the project."

But Tesco still has planning permission to build the store over the railway line.

Cllr Hardy said: "I think they should realise that the project has been dragging on for more than seven years.

"During the last two years they have been disrupting life in the village during the major construction project which is not appropriate to the size of what is a small community.

"The construction phase will now be extended for much longer, causing further disruption. And for what? Another Tesco in an area already well supplied with large foodstores. Tesco should now work with the local community and rethink the development."

Mr Grieve, the MP for Gerrards Cross, has always opposed the project.

He said: "If this particular disaster encourages Tesco to not go ahead with the scheme everyone in Gerrards Cross will be absolutely delighted.

"It has always been clear that the building of the Tesco store was not welcome in Gerrards Cross.

"Opposition to the project was overwhelming and remains overwhelming."

He added: "I have always opposed the scheme.

"I have always said that the local community's views should be paramount. They have been totally ignored."

Cllr Hardy is calling for Tesco to compensate not only the commuters, but the people of Gerrards Cross themselves.

He said: "Apologies from Tesco are simply not good enough or sufficient.

"The residents of Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield deserve some recognition from Tesco for the difficulties caused by the interruption to the rail service."

He added: "Chiltern Railways and Network Rail will apparently receive large sums in financial compensation.

"What are Tesco going to do for those many individuals who face uncomfortable and lengthy travel delays over several weeks?"

Cllr Hardy has written to Sir Terry Leahy the chief executive of Tesco asking the company to provide large amounts of money to fund community projects in Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield.