STORE giant Tesco is challenging calls for it to pay around £1million towards the Clyde Fastlink transport service.

STORE giant Tesco is challenging calls for it to pay around £1million towards the Clyde Fastlink transport service.

A public inquiry into the firm's proposed Partick development heard developers are obliged to contribute to the planned integrated traffic link from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Harbour.

But Tesco's legal representative Patrick Clarkson QC suggested the company was unwilling to make the payment.

The row emerged during the second week of an inquiry into Tesco Town', the retail giant's two planning applications for Beith Street, Partick, one for a superstore and another for a superstore and 915 student flats.

Mr Clarkson also demanded to see a list detailing all other developers and their contributions to Fastlink.

Glasgow City Council principal planner Jim Patrick told the inquiry that the guidance is that developers should be asked to support it as they "would benefit from it".

But Mr Clarkson pointed out that Partick Cross already had "first-class" public transport infrastructure.

Mr Clarkson asked how much money developers had donated to the scheme so far and "where it had come from?"

Mr Patrick replied: "We've had £3.6m. The council has given planning permission to around 20 schemes where the developers have agreed to make a financial contribution or a contribution in kind."

But Mr Clarkson said: "We (Tesco) are being asked to pay £1m towards Fastlink which there seems to be no justification for, in our view."

The sides are being asked to agree conditions for the Tesco development, should it be approved.

Last night inquiry reporter Michael Culshaw, Tesco representatives and a team from Glasgow Harbour who are planning a rival retail development, had a private meeting.