A resident informed us Camden were making changes to the size of the Tesco Heath Street loading bay to help Tesco load when they want and avoid parking fines. We managed to beat them.
The current loading bay is 9m long. Tesco use trucks of 14.5m (!!) so they can only load outside controlled parking times of 9am to 8pm. They are allowed to park on double yellow lines for certain periods when loading but residents inform us they still receive a number of penalty notices. Camden were planning to extend the loading bay so Tesco can load with their larger trucks during controlled parking times. This would apparently alleviate all problems for Tesco and residents. We did not accept their plan would work and seized the opportunity to address issues with the store.
Tesco deliveries on Heath Street have been a painful thorn in Hampstead's side for years. They load and unload in peak times, including during the ridiculously busy school run. The staggeringly big trucks block the road, block exit/access to streets and frequently bank up on double yellow lines for extensive periods in front of other shops. Notwithstanding the serious safety issues, Tesco is described as a bad neighbour by many due to mess and poor attitude of the company.
Cllr Stephen Stark and I have plugged away against their request for a longer loading bay since July. We challenged for alternatives and fought the rationale. To be fair to Camden officers they have listened and answered our many questions in detail. Stephen also carefully demonstrated how a new loading bay would obscure the traffic lights from certain vistas and we were told last week that Camden have rejected Tesco's request. Camden are now asking Tesco our questions about alternative options.
If Tesco want to push their business model of mini supermarkets into beautiful villages, they need mini trucks and a new approach to delivering. Heath Street is sadly not alone as these problems are repeated around the borough. Camden have said they they will work with us to find a solution. At a time when Tesco could do with some good PR, we hope they will start listening too. Every little helps.
Cllr Siobhan Baillie
Cllr Stephen Stark