Supermarket giant Aldi has been slammed for trying to open up an access that would make "people step into the traffic" at its Tachbrook Park Drive store.

Safety concerns saw Warwick District Council's planning committee unanimously vote to put on hold a decision on whether Aldi will be allowed to open up to customers a route that is currently for deliveries only.

That restriction formed part of the conditions for the initial build with customers meant to enter the site from a roundabout on Tachbrook Park Drive, one that also serves Leamington Shopping Park on the opposite side of the road. 

The delivery-only entrance is a T-junction that connects to Queensway on the opposite side of the Aldi site.

Public highways improvements since the store opened give it an adequate path to connect to with a painted 1.5-metre-wide walkway running behind parking spaces, one that vehicles would have to cross each time they pull in or out, proposed. 

Highways authority Warwickshire County Council recommended that "the painted footpath be on the other side of the car park" and that it should be "protected" but stopped short of objecting because that provision will be on private land, not the highway.

District planning officer Erin Weatherstone said the provision had been queried with Aldi's agent who argued it was the route "most people would use" as it was most direct. She also noted there was only a metre-wide strip of currently uneven ground away from live traffic on the other side of the car park when asked to justify why "officers are satisfied" that the changes "won't give rise to harm to highways safety".

Elected officials were far from convinced. 

Speaking as an objector, Cllr Jonathan Chilvers highlighted problems from the moment anyone enters the site on foot from Queensway.

"They are expecting pedestrians to turn the corner and step off the pavement into the road with cars coming in from behind people," he said.

"You are expected to walk along this footway, which is literally tramlines painted onto the road, and along the back of cars which may well be reversing out. 

"You might be going through there with a pushchair. To me that is really dangerous, the county has done its bit with a footpath outside the site and Aldi just say they want people to step into the traffic. To me that is unacceptable. 

"We need a protected footway or access behind those cars and then a crossing (to the store).

"Aldi say 'Spend a little, live a lot' – the message they seem to be sending to pedestrians and cyclists is 'we'll spend a little, you'll live if you're lucky'."

Representing Warwick Town Council, Oliver Jacques focused on the prospect of people cutting through the car park to bypass the roundabout that serves Europa Way at busy times.

"We therefore believe there is an associated risk to pedestrians trying to use the supermarket," he said, suggesting traffic calming "such as a simple speed bump" on a part of the public highway.

Cross-party support followed with Cllr Peter Phillips saying: "I completely agree with you on the footpath. 

"From my years in industry, working in heavy manufacturing, the health and safety executive would have been down on me like a ton of bricks if I had suggested that. 

"I am astonished that Aldi has not had its own people look at this and made that change."

Cllr Hema Yellapragada referred to her own visits there.

"I remember when there was no barrier (at the Queensway entrance) and cars went through," she said.

"Pedestrians found it very hard to go to Aldi at that point. If you have young children, a pram or you are in a mobility scooter it would be even harder.

"I can't see how it is going to be safe unless the car spaces are moved away a little and space is given for pedestrians to walk."

Concern was also raised that the proposed path runs alongside the route used by lorries delivering to Aldi.

As it became increasingly clear that the committee was uncomfortable agreeing with the view of planning professionals, legal adviser Nigel Bell was asked whether the safety argument would hold up given the highways experts had not objected. 

"Highways is a technical issue," he replied.

"Aldi will bring along their highways engineer and will rely on the fact the highways authority has not objected. 

"It is an uphill struggle but it is a possibility if we find a consultant willing to support that reason for refusal."

Cllr Bill Gifford took that up. Noting that colleagues were equally "unhappy" with the plans and "not keen to go to appeal", he suggested putting the decision on hold with all councillors agreeing to enlist the services of a transport expert to test and evidence safety worries. 

"And for Aldi to decide whether they want the reputational risk," added Cllr Phillips.