Frequent traffic jams could back up two major roads in Lower Earley, a councillor has claimed, after the Asda superstore closed off a section of its car park.

Some 20 parking spaces will be closed off permanently after two Autoglass-branded pre-fabricated buildings appeared in the car park next to the Loddon Valley Leisure Centre on Rushey Way.

Asda says the structures will only take up “excess space” in the car park. But residents and a local councillor fear it could leave the car park full up at peak times, with traffic backing up along two main roads.

Hawkedon councillor Andrew Mickleburgh said there are already times when the car park is 'absolutely packed to the limit'.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “One of the consequences of that is that it can sometimes result in people having to drive around for some time looking for spaces.

“It can also cause the vehicles to back up down Chalfont Way and even onto Rushey Way.”

Mandy Long, from Lower Earley, said she was worried that the closure could also affect users of the leisure centre. She said: “I use the leisure centre next door and always park in the lower car park in Asda as there is never any space in the leisure centre car park.

“I was going there on Monday when I realised that I couldn’t park in the lower car park. When there are events going on in the leisure centre then a lot more people park in Asda.”

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The cabins take up around 14 spaces in the car park – although barriers and cones placed around the area initially closed off a section of some 86 spaces.

Asda did not intially confirm how many spaces would be closed after being asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It has since confirmed that part of the car park was temporarily closed to allow access to delivery vehicles, but around 20 spaces will be blocked permanently.

A statement from Asda and Autoglass said the cabins will only “take up excess space on the car park at Asda’s Lower Earley store.”

It added: “The installation of the structures that make up the module will be completed on June 2 and there will be no further Autoglass structures to come beyond this.”

Councillor Mickleburgh said he didn’t object to Asda using its car park for other purposes. But, he said, this would have to be done 'in a way that ensures there’ll be adequate, safe parking and is compliant with the planning process'.

He added: “There have been quite a number of facilities located in the car park that have taken up, over time, quite a lot of the parking space.”

Councillor Mickleburgh also said he had approached Wokingham Borough Council’s planning department for information on planning restrictions regarding the site. He said planning agreements often require supermarkets to provide a quota of parking spaces.

Pre-fabricated structures in place for more than 28 days also need planning permission. The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the cabin could be in place for up to three years, although no applications for planning permission have yet been submitted.

Asda and Autoglass said they 'will be liaising with the local council on the possible need for planning permission'.