National Highways has called for plans to build a new Lidl supermarket to be delayed while potential traffic and safety issues are resolved.

Proposals to create a new store for the budget chain at Cowstead Corner, in Queenborough, Sheppey, were first announced last autumn.

Up to 40 new jobs, 126 parking spaces and 11 electric vehicle charging points were revealed as part of the company’s plans for the near 12,000 square metres site.

However, the scheme was expected to face obstacles due to its proposed construction at a busy part of the Island near to the A249 and A2500 junction – an area notorious for traffic delays.

If completed, it will also be just metres away from the recently-approved Aldi store which is due to be built at Neats Court.

National Highways, a government-owned company tasked with operating motorways and major A roads, believe planning permission should not be granted for the Lidl store before August 4 – until its concerns are addressed.

They said: "National Highways currently recommends that planning permission not be granted – other than a refusal if the council so wishes – for a period of three months from the date of this response to allow the applicant to resolve the outstanding matters.

"This recommendation can be replaced, renewed, or reviewed during the three-month period, or at its end, dependent on progress made with regards to the outstanding matters."

Reasons for their concerns are due to a number of issues.

National Highways manages 4,500 miles of motorways and major roads, carrying a third of all traffic in what is the most used part of the national road network in England – something they say could be impact the A249 near Queenborough.

Data on personal injury reported road accidents (STATS19) also needed to be included with figures detailing accidents on the A249/A2500 roundabout for the five years prior to 2020.

Further information is also required on a forecast of trips within the store's retail impact assessment.

National Highways estimates that 40% of journeys to the store will be entirely new to the area's highway network, with the remaining 60% diverted trips from other nearby sites, both of which need to be calculated.

It also believes that an additional assessment needs to be taken of the A2500 and Queenborough/Sheppey Way roundabout.

Other matters recommended to be addressed include drainage, lighting and boundary issues on the eastern edge of the development.