Rethink over road lay-out plans for new Rotherham Tesco

South Yorkshire Police fear the proposed highway layout will not do enough to stop drivers leaving the £40 million store from turning left onto Drummond Street.

Rotherham Borough Council has agreed to look again at the junction — but insists the right-turn-only exit is needed to prevent congestion from Centenary Way.

A council spokesman said: “Following the approval of proposals by Tesco, it is necessary to amend existing traffic orders to accommodate changes to the surrounding highway network and thereby maintain the safe and free flow of traffic.

“The proposals will also require the construction of a new junction connecting Drummond Street to Centenary Way.

“The changes necessary to accommodate this will need the reversal of the one-way system around Water Street and Effingham Square.”

Rotherham Hackney Carriage Association complained that splitting the taxi rank in two would be confusing for customers.

Its request for all ten spaces to be kept on one side of the road was agreed by councillors.

The spokesman said: “The scheme layout has been revised so all spaces can be accommodated on the north-west side of Effingham Square.

All proposed highway alterations will be financed and constructed by Tesco.