THE proposed Tesco supermarket in St Albans will increase traffic by 70 per cent and cause major congestion in nearby roads, an action group has warned.

Following weeks of research Stop Tesco, which is opposing the large scale development on the Eversheds site in London Road, found traffic levels would be made significantly worse if the supermarket is built.

It says more than 2,000 cars and lorries already use London Road between 11am and 3pm on Saturdays resulting in tailbacks that block nearby Alma Road.

Mike Dilke of Stop Tesco said: "Tesco's published plans for its new store show a total lack of awareness of the scale of traffic problems its store would bring to this part of St Albans.

"The store will gridlock the entire local area, but all Tesco has suggested is a short slip lane and one controlled crossing, plus some rephasing of existing traffic lights. We cannot see how any further improvements would alleviate the problem - there is nowhere else for traffic to go. Tesco must see that its plans will not work, and sit down again with the council and local people to find a better use for the land - one that ideally includes affordable housing and a school."

Stop Tesco gathered its findings over several Saturdays by monitoring existing traffic levels in London Road as well as the traffic in and out of Sainsbury's in Everard Close, which is a similar size to the proposed Tesco store.

Campaigners say adding together the volume of traffic at both sites gives a good indication of what to expect if the supermarket is built. They also warn the absence of an overflow car park will encourage shoppers to clog up residential areas by leaving their cars in nearby streets.

Simon Grover of the Green Party said: "This survey confirms one of the many reasons why local people don't want a supermarket on this site. Any benefit it might bring would be far outweighed by the disadvantages, from clogging up the roads to damaging local shops and services.

"Residents in the area consistently tell us that they would prefer something more useful on the Eversheds site."