A transport expert has insisted large delivery vehicles travelling to and from a proposed Tesco superstore would not cause chaos on Ilkley’s roads.

The supermarket giant is appealing against decisions by Bradford Council to turn down applications for the new store in Mayfield Road and proposals to turn the chain’s existing site in Springs Lane into a care home and smaller retail units.

The council said the plans for a supermarket were contrary to planning policy, and the care home proposals were refused on the grounds of loss of retail land. The council is defending the decisions, while residents’ group Irate (Ilkley Residents Against Tesco Expansion) are backing the council’s findings But on day five of the inquiry held in Ilkley Playhouse by Government planning inspector Harold Stephens, Tesco witness Joanna Lyon said the road infrastructure could cope with large lorries accessing a potential new superstore.

The council’s barrister, Martin Carter asked Mrs Lyon, whether a considerable increase in traffic to a new store was a consideration for studies into accessibility for delivery vehicles around the site.

“A large vehicle and a car can pass on this section of the road,” Mrs Lyon said. “It’s the increase in the number of large vehicles that’s the relevant point here.

“That (more cars) won’t change the accessibility of large vehicles to move along that section of road.”

Mrs Lyon said there would be a maximum of eight extra delivery lorries a day to the new store and she also said the delivery drivers would be expected to use specified routes to access the new store.

She said all delivery drivers, whether they worked for Tesco or another company, would be handed a “risk assessment sheet” before every delivery telling them which route to use.

However, she admitted there are physical or lawful restrictions which could stop a driver taking any route.

Sandy Macpherson, representing Irate, claimed a new store would not help current congestion during periods of increased tourism in the town between May and September.

But Mrs Lyon said plans proposed would nullify the impact of store traffic on the rest of the town and could lead to reductions in some areas.

Today, Mr Stephens will lead a visit to the proposed sites for all three parties in the inquiry to view. Tomorrow Thursday and Friday will see Irate and objectors to Tesco’s proposals get a chance to air their views to the inquiry.