A controversial new supermarket is causing traffic delays because there is no off-road parking for delivery lorries.

Vehicles bringing goods to the Tesco Express at The Glebe neighbourhood shopping centre in Stevenage are parking on Mobbsbury Way – the main road beside the store to offload because of a lack of parking. This is causing tailbacks in the area as drivers struggle to get past on the two lane road.

An employee of a company based at The Glebe, who did not want to be named, said she was caught up in traffic last week because a Tesco lorry arrived at the same time as one for the neighbouring Nisa store.

“It was chaos in Chells. It took 30 plus minutes to travel from Fairlands Way to the Glebe shops.

“So far that one incident was the worst but the deliveries are causing traffic issues. That morning a lorry was also delivering to Nisa so you could say a double whammy. No-one could get past.”

A spokesman for Tesco said the company is aware that it is a “busy area”.

She added: “We have self-imposed delivery times to avoid clashing with busy periods like the school run. We have also applied for a designated loading bay so deliveries will not be made on the highway.”

An application for a lay-by beside the store, which would be paid for by the supermarket chain, is currently with Herts County Council.

Liberal Democrat county councillor for Chells, Robin Parker said he saw the problem coming.

“It’s completely as predicted. I’ve been held up in traffic there myself and I’ve had complaints to me from members of the public.”

But he criticised Herts Highways officers for not informing him of the application for a lay-by after he only found out from Herts Police.

“It’s outrageous that the local county councillor is not even told in what is a sensitive and highly controversial area.” He said he will take it up “at the highest level”.

The store in the former Chells Family Pub was opposed by neighbouring traders and pub regulars who argued it would destroy the local economy and remove a valued community asset.

Tesco said it has been “extremely popular” since it opened earlier this month.