A MULTI-million pound scheme to beat road congestion in Ingleby Barwick is in jeopardy after Tesco scrapped plans for its store extension.

The company had pledged £1.3m towards a £4.5m dual carriageway network in the town as part of its significant revamp of its store there.

Planning permission had been granted for the larger store, which included the roadworks as part of the plan and Stockton Council delayed working on the dualling of Myton Way so the two upgrades could take place at the same time, saving on disruption and cost.

A statement from Tesco said: “Our store in Ingleby Barwick remains exceptionally popular with local customers. We are proud to serve the local community at our store and following careful consideration, we have decided not to build the extension to the existing store.

“We understand some local people will be disappointed and wanted to see the extended Tesco store come forward. Our team and our store continues to offer the very best in service to local residents and we look forward to continuing to welcome customers through our doors.”

Local councillor Ross Patterson, of the Ingleby Barwick Independent Society (IBIS), said he was “extremely disappointed” by the decision.

IBIS worked with Tesco and Stockton Council for three years to get approval for the extension and road upgrades by the council and the scheme has been ready to go since April 2011. It would have been funded with £3.5m from Persimmon Homes and almost £1.3m from Tesco.

Most of Myton Way, from the Myton pub to the underpass between the Rings and Broom Hill Villages was due to be dual carriageway, with the Sandgate roundaboue being replaced by traffic lights.

Coun Patterson said: “This should have meant that the road improvement scheme above should be under construction now. Unfortunately, it isn’t, due to Tesco not going ahead with the extension to a store that reputedly takes £1m per week.

“No explanations have been offered to IBIS by Tesco for the delay, which is effectively holding back the Ingleby Barwick traffic solution.”

He said the congestion was causing drivers to use The Rings area as a dangerous “rat run” to avoid the traffic jams.

Stockton South MP James Wharton said he would be getting involved in the matter and speaking to Tesco and Stockton Council.

Tesco is believed to have changed its mind on the extension, which would have created more space for non-food products, due to more people shopping on-line for goods.