Supermarket deliveries dangerous (From Harrow Times)

Supermarket deliveries dangerous

9:23am Sunday 27th April 2008 in

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A BRENT politician has accused supermarket delivery men at a Wembley supermarket of endangering pedestrians.

Dr Shahrar Ali, Green Party candidate for Brent and Harrow on the London Assembly, says lorries bringing goods to Asda, in Forty Lane, have been parking on pavements and in bus stops.

He says at times passers by have even been forced to walk in the road.

He said: "It has a direct impact on residents who can't now cross that part of the street. The road markings are double yellow and there's no stopping and no loading or unloading at anytime.

"Sometimes we have two or three trucks waiting to enter the Asda loading bay. This is actually ludicrous and it even causes a traffic jam from time to time."

"If your common or garden motorist was to do this he'd be booked immediately."

Dr Ali has supplied the Harrow Times with photographs of lorries parked in the road and in one, taken when it was raining, the ground under the lorry is dry, suggesting it had been there for some time.

He claims the driver had fallen asleep in the cabin.

He has called on the council to crack down on the drivers but said his request had no effect.

Matt Thompson, spokesman for Asda, said: "It's great that it has been flagged up to us. It wasn't something we were aware of.

"It has been communicated very strongly to all the drivers that they are not to park in these areas. If it has happened, we will make sure it doesn't happen again."

Dr Ali said: "That's extraordinary. Not only were they made fully aware of the problems, they should know what's happening on their own doorstep."

He said it was pointed out to one of the managers of the store in September and he phoned up after Asda said they had spoken to the drivers to tell them it was happening again.

The Harrow Times contacted Brent Council for a response but officers said they are unable to comment during "purdah", the period before an election.

Dr Ali, is a candidate in the London Assembly elections on Thursday, May 1.