Ambulance fears block Aldi bid for new store

ALDI has failed in a bid to build a supermarket in Birmingham after traffic objections by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The discount retailer wants to demolish a car wash on the Chester Road, in Erdington, opposite the exit road from the ambulance service base.

But concerns were raised that emergency vehicles already struggle to get out of the area near the Tyburn House Island because of the central reservation.

The ambulance service, which was not originally consulted, has requested the retailer pay for a cut-through or signal-controlled junction which would allow its vehicles to turn right straight away.

Cllr Mike Sharpe (Lab, Pype Hayes), said the Chester Road was a major route serving the M6 and was frequently congested.

He said: “With that amount of traffic on the road any slight alterations will have an effect on those ambulances coming out.

“That can’t be allowed to happen because every minute is vital to these people getting to where they have got to go to.”

But Birmingham City Council planning officer Tony White said it would be an “unreasonable requirement” for Aldi to pay for the road infrastructure.

The planning committee deferred the application for further consideration.

Hamish Latchem, regional property director for Aldi, said that “every conceivable” issue had been addressed.

He argued that most of the supermarket’s visitors would already be on the road network and simply choosing Aldi instead of other shops in the area.

Mr Latchem said there was overwhelming support in the area for the new store.