‘Exciting times’ for town centre

Multi-million-pound plans to build two supermarkets on Sandy Lane and Kilton Road are expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

And with construction of the cinema starting and the announcement of a civic square, councillor Greaves said these are ‘exciting times’ for Worksop.

“Its fantastic that developers are coming forward with proposals that would bring hundreds of jobs and millions of pounds of investment into our much neglected town,” he said.

“But there’s plenty more to be do. Worksop deserves to be a place to be proud of once again.”

“In terms of the local economy it’s vital that Bassetlaw has the capacity to accommodate both new business start ups, and larger companies - that’s why the Vesuvius proposals are so exciting.”

“We need to make the most of what we have to make sure that we do not miss out on the jobs of tomorrow.”

He added: “Bassetlaw has so much to offer, and Bassetlaw Council plays an essential role in unlocking that potential.”

The Vesuvius bid along Sandy Lane, close to the A57, would bring a new supermarket and Tigers football ground to the town.

The plans were expected to be looked at by Bassetlaw Council this month but are now likely to be brought up again at October’s planning meeting.

It will also see a petrol filling station, a new roundabout and the creation of a bus route linking the site to the town centre and other residential areas throughout Worksop.

But plans to build a supermarket and petrol station on the former Seafields site east of the town have been met with some resistance after a planning application was submitted to Bassetlaw Council.

MP John Mann has warned the potential traffic congestion along Kilton Road could ‘kill off’ town centre business.

“We are in grave danger of being in a permanent traffic jam. In my view we want our supermarkets on the dual carriageway on the by-pass,” he said.

“If people cannot get in to the town people will not come. We will lose jobs, it will be bad for other businesses.”

“We are in danger of having a town which is unworkable to work in. If that happens it will kill off Worksop town centre.”

Kilton Road resident Sharon Ridley-Cook, 52, said: “The traffic is terrible, I can only imagine how bad it could get at five o’clock around here. It’s bad enough anyway but it will be worse than ever.”

Magna Plant Tool Hire looks on to the roundabout where Kilton Road meets Kilton Hill and High Hoe Road.

Manager Nigel Rix said: “It’s going to affect us, especially when they are constructing. It will put off people from coming in.”

“It will be a nightmare.”

The proposed £25m development on Kilton Road, if approved, will see £500,000 invested into the road network surrounding the site in an attempt to calm concerns over the potential increased traffic flow on the east side of Worksop.

Director of Harris Lamb Property Consultants, who are acting on behalf of developer Bridge Properties, Neil Harris said the east side plans - which could attract up to 500 jobs - would prove beneficial.

“We need to look at the positives for the town centre. It badly needs a supermarket provision. We are bringing some needed regeneration that will hopefully be a catalyst for future developments.”

Supermarket operators for both sites are still yet to be confirmed.