Concern has been expressed about “catastrophic” road safety impacts from a new Lidl store being built next to Redcar Racecourse.

The supermarket chain struck a deal to build on land previously used for horsebox parking and construction is now underway at the location off West Dyke Road after planning permission was granted.

Libby Jones, who has lived in nearby Easson Road for 46 years, said highways changes meant a filter lane – used by traffic to turn right into the cul-de-sac – would be reduced in length to just one vehicle.

This was to accommodate the extension of another filter lane in the opposite direction which will be used by shoppers to turn right into an entrance road for the new store.

This had led residents to fear it could eventually be removed altogether, although Redcar and Cleveland Council said there were no plans to do so.

Mrs Jones said: “Lidl have been allowed to dictate the road markings, not just at the entrance to the proposed store but further along the main highway.

“West Dyke Road has always been busy with traffic, but in the last 40 years it has doubled.

“You also have traffic queues going into the car boot sale [held on the racecourse] and traffic coming in and out of Tesco.

“Lidl are proposing to channel two opposing sets of traffic on a very busy road into the same central section – vehicles travelling south along West Dyke Road and intending to make a right turn into Easson Road or vehicles travelling north and intending to make a right turn into the proposed Lidl store.

“The result of this could be catastrophic.”

Mrs Jones said there had been no council highways representative present to answer questions from members at the regulatory committee meeting in December 2022 that determined Lidl’s planning application and it should have been adjourned.

She also described how one committee member was excluded from the decision after he had to leave the council chambers to go to the toilet.

This left a vote deadlocked at 4-4 for and against the application, with planning committee chairman, Councillor Stuart Smith using his casting vote to decide in favour.

Thirty four objections were received during a public consultation with 26 further representations supportive of the plans.

Mrs Jones said the standard of planning documents prepared and submitted on behalf of Lidl had been “amateurish”.

The pensioner said: “Lidl have produced endless amendments, but none have been adequate – no adjoining roads have been named and existing traffic direction arrows placed where they aren’t any.

“The inadequacy of the plans have been pointed out by objectors over and over again.”

Mrs Jones said highways officials had repeatedly disagreed with Lidl proposals which were covered by a specific planning condition relating to the highway on West Dyke Road and at the entrance to the new supermarket.

A road safety audit was also requested, which Mrs Jones said never took place.

Then in April an agreement was finally reached allowing the planning condition to be discharged, which occurred in August.

A planning officer’s report said: “There were initially objections to the plans and drawings due to the information submitted and a lack of detail.

“Highways have had detailed discussions with the developers and several revisions to the plans and drawings have been submitted and considered.

“The final versions of the plans submitted on April 26, 2024 have been confirmed as acceptable by highway colleagues and this condition can be discharged.”

Mrs Jones said she had submitted a Freedom of Information request to the council asking for copies of correspondence between officers and Lidl relating to the highways proposals.

But she was told that other than that was already on the council website, “there are no documents in existence to answer your request” and what she was sent did not relate to the traffic issues raised by residents.

A spokesman for the council said: “Work to alter West Dyke Road, including road lining and the space allocated to the dedicated right turning lanes, have been agreed with Lidl and their agents to ensure the highway environment safely accommodates all road users in the area.

“Residents can be assured that as part of the work at least one car length will be allocated to the right turning lane associated with Easson Road, and the authority has no plans to remove this feature.

“The highway work formed part of the consultation and consent granted as part of the planning decision in 2022.”

A spokesman for Lidl, which previously promised 40 new jobs as a result of the new store, said it was on track to open early next year with construction progressing well.

He said: “We have been working closely with Redcar and Cleveland Council to implement essential improvements on West Dyke Road, as approved, ensuring the enhancements are executed correctly and in accordance with their requirements. 

“The ongoing work will ensure appropriate vehicle access, while residents will retain use of the filter lane.”

An assessment previously shared with councillors as part of the decision making process stated that there would only be a “minimal impact” on the local highway network and existing junctions would be able to cope with any added traffic.