Drivers have to go out of town for fuel in evenings

BOSSES at supermarket giant Sainsbury’s say it is still their intention to open a fuel station in Portishead – if a suitable site can be found.

The supermarket chain announced earlier this year that it wanted to open a petrol station in Portishead when it revealed its plans to open a 30,000 sq ft store at Serbert Way in the town.

Currently Portishead has only one fuel station which is run by Waitrose at Station Road.

But as this is not open 24 hours, anyone wanting fuel after it closes in the evening has to travel out of Portishead to Gordano services or to the neighbouring towns of Nailsea or Clevedon.

Sainsbury’s was granted permission for its new store by councillors last month, subject to the details of a Section 106 planning agreement – which set out what community benefits the firm should help the council with in return – being finalised.

The garage development was not included as part of the planning permission, but Sainsbury’s bosses have said it is something they would like to provide in the town and they are searching for a suitable site.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said: “We are still actively looking for a site for a petrol station in Portishead.

“The possibility of opening a fuel station in Portishead is outside of the application for the supermarket.

“We are looking for a site in close proximity to the store.

“Our consultation with local residents showed that they feel there is a need for a second petrol station in Portishead.”

Portishead used to have a second garage on the High Street near the roundabout at St Peter’s Road.

But this was closed down several years ago and the site was used to build a new housing development.

Local councillors have welcomed the news that Sainsbury’s is continuing to look for a site for a fuel station.

Portishead councillor David Pasley said the town was desperate for another fuel station.

He said: “Portishead is a growing town and currently we have a population of around 22,000.

“One garage for a town this size is nowhere near enough and if Sainsbury’s does manage to secure a site we need to make sure it has a big forecourt and a number of pumps to cope with the demand.

“The fact that there is only one garage in the town means that often there are queues of people waiting for the pumps and this can cause problems with traffic tailing back onto the already busy Cabstand junction.

“Those wanting fuel late in the evening or very early in the morning either have to go to the motorway services where fuel is more expensive or travel to either Clevedon of Nailsea.

“A second garage in Portishead would not only provide more choice for residents but take traffic off the already busy Portbury Hundred and other routes out of the town.”