SAFEWAY, the supermarket giant currently building a new store in Sidcup, has been taken to task by traders and residents over the construction work.

The company is accused of letting down traders over car parking arrangements in the town.

Mark McFarlane the company's project manager has been told that one bookshop has already closed and moved elsewhere because of the parking uncertainty.

"The weeks leading up the Christmas are his busiest," said fellow trader Jim Bennett. "He could not risk that your promised basement car park would not open in time for Christmas."

Mr McFarlane promised that a 45-space temporary car park would open in Elm Road by the end of July and he hoped a further 140 spaces would open just before Christmas.

Traders claim they were promised the Elm Road parking would be available before the car park in Back Road was closed seven weeks ago. Mr McFarlane denied there had been a promise.

Parking and traffic diversions to allow for the construction work have forced trade in the town down by about 25 per cent, the traders claim.

Mr McFarlane also had complaints about noise from the site on Sundays, closure of footways and mud from lorries which are supposed to have their wheels washed before leaving the site.

Mr McFarlane added if anyone had day-to-day complaints about the construction work, they should call the site manager on 020 8302 0551.

He was speaking at the annual town partnership meeting, which also discussed several other pressing issues.

The meeting heard CCTV cameras were due to be operational by the end of October. A group is to look at safety around the library, in Hadlow Road, and problems with the lack of a direct bus service to Sidcup from North Cray.

Trader Mike Lowe was re-elected as chairman and residents association representative Peter Moreton was elected vice-chairman.

lpiper@london.newsquest.co.uk

July 16, 2002 12:00