I WOULD like to concur with Robert Kirkpatrick (Echo, July 28) concerning the lack of strategic planning by West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in respect of supermarkets.

Asda’s Newstead Road store caused traffic congestion before. It will likely cause more now it has been extended.

Not only do we have traffic congestion but the resulting difficulty in accessing the town centre does nothing for the latter’s viability.

As Weymouth town centre is on the coast and has to be accessed over two bridges or the seafront, it is neither centrally nor ideally located.

Asda should have been encouraged to relocate to the western side of Weymouth on the Chickerell borders to balance Morrisons store on the Dorchester Road – but that would be too environmentally sound.

Applying government guidance to a town centre that is not central may indicate a lack of judgement and independent thought.

We are now to have another supermarket (Sainsburys) co-located with Morrisons to draw more traffic to one spot, risking congestion at the end of the new relief road.

The planners could have looked at a map and allocated three separate sites for supermarkets – where people live – to minimise car journeys and bus trips. Perhaps a supermarket by the Chickerell link road?

GERALD NORTHOVER, The Lindens, Preston