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news
Lidl Calcot.pngLidl near Reading opposed on grounds of blocking cycle lane extension
Legions of cyclists adore Lidl stores for their cheap offers on decent cycling kit - and the plentiful cheap cake.
But in Calcot, near Reading, Borough Council members are recommended planning permission for a new store should be opposed, because of its impact on local cycling and walking routes.
The store “would have a detrimental impact on highway safety and would prejudice the council’s ability to deliver National Cycle Network Route 422,” according to a report seen by Get Reading.
It also notes that a pedestrian refuge would be moved to a very narrow stretch of pavement under the plans, and the location of the store would make it harder, if not impossible, for Reading Borough Council to extend an existing off-road cycle route which follows the opposite side of the road.
Lidl say that the proposed development will bring a new 1,424m² neighbourhood foodstore to the area, featuring 103 car parking spaces and the creation of up to 40 jobs for local residents.
It adds that “the site is well placed to encourage access by sustainable modes of transport. Customer cycle parking will be provided to encourage shoppers to visit the store by bicycle.
“The car parking spaces are arranged in a manner so that it is safe and easy for customers to manoeuvre around the car park. There are pedestrian links through the car park to the store entrance and trolley storage.”
Along with its bargain cycling clothes, shoes and tools, the best of which are regularly featured here on road.cc, Lidl has also branched into pro cycling, having signed a sponsorship deal with Etixx-Quick Step – bringing with it Tony Martin, Tom Boonen, and Marcel Kittel.
Based in Marcel Kittel’s home country of Germany, Lidl operates more than 10,000 stores throughout Europe and in 2014 was food and drink partner of another Belgian team, Lotto-Belisol.
The supermarket operator has become the team’s “Official Fresh Food Partner,” with a logo added to the team kit.
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11 comments
Why don't they simply recommend a redesign that facilitates cycling and walking.
The cycle parking at Lidls in Fisponds, Bristol looks exactly the same as the one in Southshields above. They;ve got a nice big carpark though.
The Lidl spokesperson makes it seem as they are providing cycling parking as a favour to us (cyclists) when in actual fact ALL new retail builds HAVE to provide cycle parking.
Where I live Lidl, Iceland and Asda all have retail units built before this regulation came in and suprise suprise none of them have cycle parking.
I trained as an architectural technologist at uni and am depressingly familiar with developments adding on various sustainable bits and bobs to butter up planners whilst everyone knows its rarely more than a tick box exercise with little afterthought or sincerity of purpose.
Have to say though at least the council are raising this as a serious issue, no doubt due to the legal requirement for them to actually take this stuff seriously now.
If their 'Customer cycle parking' is like that of their local shop here it will be absolutely useless. They pile gardening supplies up against the entire row so that you can barely see them let alone use them.
It's not the only location they do this. This photo is of Lidl South Shields
lidl.jpg
haha! that's my photo! 2 Lidl stores in South Shields, and only that one has any cycle parking.
Also Lidl's store in Pity me, Durham has simialr wheel benders, but about 3 inches from car parking spaces making them utterly useless.
ooldbaker wrote,
"If their 'Customer cycle parking' is like that of their local shop here it will be absolutely useless. They pile gardening supplies up against the entire row so that you can barely see them let alone use them."
Totally agree with this, my local store is exactly the same, as is the store in my neighbouring town.
Not only this, but the racks don't even provide something resembling secure cycle parking unless you have a 2 meter plus long lock or 3 d-locks, one to lock the wheel to the rack, one to lock your wheel to the frame and one to lock your other wheel to the frame.
At least at Aldi you get proper sheffield stands which you can actually use.
Erm - I can't see any cycle parking on that photo?
line of wheel benders along the trolley stand
Ha! Seriously??? I didn't even (and wouldn't have) see those until you pointed them out. I thought that the cycle parking at some of the supermarkets near me was bad, but those things make mine look like automated Japanese underground parking droids by comparison...
Of course the site is well served by sustainable transport. That's what happens when you block a cycle lane.