Work begins on new Sainsbury's junction in Aylesbury
Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Gatehouse Road
Work starts today to build the road junction for Aylesbury's new Sainsbury's.
The supermarket's going to be built off Gatehouse Road and the Council's building a traffic light junction there with Gatehouse Way.
It's expected the store will open sometime next year.
The new junction
The new traffic signal controlled, four-way junction, will provide access to the new site from Gatehouse Road and will include the current Gatehouse Way turn-off.
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.
The junction will also incorporate new pedestrian and cyclist crossing facilities, with additional facilities at the Gatehouse Road and Bicester Road junction.
There will also be further pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities provided on the Bicester Road itself.
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."
Fellow Cabinet Member Steve Bowles, 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 said:
"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."