I VISITED our new Tesco store this afternoon and have to say I was quite impressed — with the range of goods on offer in a store smaller than Morrison’s, the bright and open appearance and the obvious enthusiasm of the staff to welcome new customers. 

However, it is unlikely that I will be returning in the near future, as having to wait nearly ten minutes in order to turn right onto Plymouth Road (in mid afternoon, not during the rush hour) is an irritation that will make the other supermarkets and the town centre seem much more attractive.

Everyone I have spoken to in the run-up to the Tesco opening has been amazed that nothing significant was done to improve access to the industrial estate road. Everyone could predict that the weight of traffic now looking to turn right into Tesco, and also turning right out of Tesco back into Tavistock would cause chaos unless a mini roundabout was installed, but it seems our town planners could not foresee this.

I just hope that other traders in the industrial estate do not suffer from people feeling it is not worth the hassle of the traffic bottleneck caused by poor planning.

Hugh Walkington

Tavistock