TENBURY MP Harriett Baldwin has stepped in to try to get a firm answer about when and if Tesco will build the highly contentious supermarket in the town.

She has made the move as concerns grow that despite promises that the supermarket will be built on the old auction yard site there has been no start date more than five years after the scheme was first proposed.

In January Dave Lewis, the chief executive of Tesco, sent a letter to prominent people in the town confirming that despite the company's financial troubles the development would go ahead.

However, construction of the project is not in the Tesco plans for the year that ends next February and no commitment has been given for a start date.

With patience running out, Mrs Baldwin has written to Mr Lewis asking for an update on progress.

She hopes that as a gesture of good will the international supermarket business will agree to construct a flood wall around the site.

The beleaguered company met with Mrs Baldwin last year and pledged to start improvement work on the disused cattle market site in preparation for construction work to start.

This was followed by the letter sent in January.

Although many proposed Tesco stores have been shelved, the Tenbury plan remains intact according to the company and the MP has asked the company to consider fulfilling its commitment to improving the flood walls alongside the site.

“I have been in conversation with the Environment Agency to discuss what progress has been made on the permanent flood protection strategy,” said Mrs Baldwin.

“It is clear that the improved flood wall alongside the Tesco site would be a useful first step. On this basis, I have written to Tesco to see if they will consider carrying out this work, which will benefit both them and the townspeople.

“I feel that while there is uncertainty about the future of the site, it would be a good gesture from the company to carry out this work, which was a condition of their planning permission.

“When I met the company last year, I was told it wanted to be a ‘good neighbour’. It would be good of the company to make this simple gesture and deliver on one of their commitments to Tenbury.”

Earlier this year Tesco bosses came to Tenbury to discuss the possibility of beginning the work to convert the old fire station into a museum and heritage centre.

But issues remain to be resolved about the lease and there was no firm commitment.

Tony Penn, who represents Tenbury on Malvern Hills District Council, is a strong supporter of the Tesco plan to come to the town.

However, he has said that he shares the frustration at the delay. Cllr Penn says he believes that the project that was first announced in the spring of 2010 will eventually go ahead although this may not be until 2017.

The failure to start the new store continues to hold up completion of town centre improvements that are to be partly funded as part of an agreement with Tesco.

It also holds up improvements to town bus services.