Tesco lorries that have caused congestion at a new store for six months will soon be able to park off road after the green light was given for a lay-by.

Delivery drivers to the Tesco Express at The Glebe neighbour shops in Stevenage have been forced to park on Mobbsbury Way near the busy junction with Chells Way since the store opened in January because of a lack of parking. The issue affects the area several times a day – blocking one lane and causing tailbacks at busy periods.

An application for a dedicated lay-by for deliveries off Mobbsbury Way was submitted by Tesco to Herts County Council before the store opened, but legal issues delayed its implementation.

County councillor for the Chells area, Robin Parker, who petitioned for the “badly needed” construction, said work will now begin on July 23, weather permitting.

The Lib Dem Stevenage councillor said: “As is often the case, highways issues are complicated. There were legal hold-ups with this one, although both Tesco and Hertfordshire Highways were keen to get on with it.

“Eventually, about a week ago, I was told they were ready to start work, but I opted for a start date of July 23, rather than July 2, so that as little extra disruption as possible will be caused, since schools break up on July 20, so traffic volumes will be significantly less.”

The Tesco funded construction will take around seven days and involve two days of three-way traffic signals at the junction. Some kerbs and road markings will also be changed.

Tesco will deliver only between 7am and 11am, with other businesses and vehicles able to use the lay-by outside these times.