A NEWLY-opened fuel station has become a victim of its own success and drawn criticism for the amount of people gong there to shop.

Stow town councillors said they were concerned about the amount of traffic being generated around the new BP garage in Station Road and say it is the attached shop selling Marks and Spencer goods that is attracting people there who are not necessarily gong for fuel.

They said the site was too small and had voiced this when planning permission was being sought. They said people were driving there to shop and it was adding to the volume of traffic on that road.

Chairman Councillor Alun White said the council had raised the issue that the site was cramped at the planning stage but to no avail and it was passed.

Councillors directed their concern towards Sergeant Richard Payne at the council's monthly meeting on Thursday, however, Sgt Payne said there was nothing he could do as it wasn't a police matter and it seemed to be the Marks and Spencer element that was attracting shoppers.

"It's only just opened and new places are always busy to start with. The problem there is that you have people going just to shop. I've done it myself. I've visited it three times and only got fuel there once, the last time was an hour-and-a-half ago. You can't stop people from going there to buy things and not fuel. Perhaps there's a call for a Marks and Spencer outlet.

"Motorists have to be responsible for their own driving and if someone suddenly sees the M& S shop and slows down to turn in then those following should be prepared to be able to stop. It's not the garage's fault. They haven't committed any crime and I'm sure it will quieten down there before long."