The developer of three new stores off Anson Road in Martlesham has moved to allay motorists’ fears of traffic chaos after it announced a drive-through Costa would join the site.

Ipswich Star: Beardmore Park, Martlesham. Picture: JASON NOBLEBeardmore Park, Martlesham. Picture: JASON NOBLE (Image: Archant)

Beardmore park owners LondonMetric Property has bought land adjacent to Martlesham Tesco, where two retail stores are being built.

In June last year the firm announced that DIY retailer Wickes would be one of the stores, while discussions are still ongoing for the second unit.

Now, a separate planning bid has been submitted to build a drive-through Costa at the site.

Simon Meacock, asset manager at LondonMetric, said: “Costa are in the Next store at the moment so we are working on the basis it is linked. It shouldn’t create any additional demand but the Costa there is oversubscribed already.”

Ipswich Star: Traffic at Beardmore Park, Martlesham. Picture: JASON NOBLETraffic at Beardmore Park, Martlesham. Picture: JASON NOBLE (Image: Archant)

Work is due to begin on the Wickes and unconfirmed store at the end of the month, with the whole site due for completion by October, pending planning approval for the Costa.

But motorists have questioned whether the roundabout connecting Beardmore Park to Anson Road and surrounding roads, can cope with the extra traffic as the junction already gets busy at weekends and peak times.

Patricia O’Brien, Suffolk county councillor for Martlesham, said: “I think we are at the stage where we have got enough – too much really – because the traffic that’s generated is colossal.”

Ms O’Brien pointed to potential development of 2,000 homes off Adastral Park as further increasing traffic, and added: “It’s just adding to the strain on the roads, you can see it all the time.”

Mr Meacock said LondonMetric was in regular dialogue with Martlesham Parish Council and was working alongside highways teams. A pedestrian crossing between Beardmore Park and Wickes and a large car park have already been planned.

“Next, Marks and Spencer and Tesco are all big footfall drivers but we consider [the new development] low impact in terms of the extra traffic it will create,” Mr Meacock added.

“We like Martlesham Heath, we think it’s a great area to invest in. It’s a very successful area so that’s why we were keen to acquire this other site and work in consultation with Wickes.”

LondonMetric last year expanded the M&S store and brought in Hobbycraft in its Beardmore Park site.