The Freedom of Information Act is your friend

At the beginning of December last year, one concerned local resident asked a simple question of the council: If you have agreed with Tesco that they won't park juggernauts outside, why are you still allowing them to do so?

And then he asked again.

And again.

Eventually, having phrased the question as a request under the Freedom of Information Act, he received a response - With 2 days to go before the deadline expired.

What did he discover?

Well the Council has met with Tesco, not just about the problems in St Margarets, but also about the other stores in the borough - And the Council is getting tough, oh yes. They have reached an agreement with Tesco regarding deliveries to stores. They have said to Tesco:

"Apart from the problems being caused to traffic flow and inconvenience to residents, the current situation is damaging the reputation of Tesco stores in the borough"

And so, in the last meeting, a scheme for deliveries was reached for St Margarets. To quote from a letter from Matthew Hill, Section Manager, Transport Planning Service of Richmond Council of 9th December:

".... Tesco has committed to the main fresh food delivery no being at 0600, ensuring that no deliveries take place between 0800 and 0900, the busiest bus stop time. Currently Bread is delivered at 0800 but in a smallish van and a quick stop, which the existing loading box, yellow line can accomodate. No deliveries are planned after approx 2pm so there will be no impact on the bus stop in evening peak"

Take a look below, does this look like no deliveries between 8 and 9? Or last week, the main delivery being at 6am?

The shots from today show a traffic flow in half term - What is is going to be like next week?

Write to the council:

Tell them what you think about their enforcement policies. email matthew.hill@richmond.gov.uk

Why not tell your councillor what you think, email cllr.ahambidge@richmond.gov.uk

Also, did you know that the postmaster asked the Council whether he could have an ATM? And they said no.

And did you know that Tesco's ATM still doesn't have planning permission? You might tell your councillor what you think about that, too.

Remember, if you see the road blocked by a Tesco lorry, or Tesco loading outside these hours, or from an inappropriate lorry text STM then the details to 07900435322.