WORK has begun on Winchester’s first McDonalds drive-thru.

Part of the Tesco car park, in Winnall, is now closed for construction of the new 24-hour restaurant.

Contractors have started digging up the tarmac, with the area having been fenced off. Disruption to the supermarket is minimal, with the majority of the car park in Easton Lane still open.

The fast-food outlet will have 33 parking spaces, two accessible spaces and three grill bays and four bike stands. 

Hampshire Chronicle: Work has started in the Tesco Extra car parkWork has started in the Tesco Extra car park (Image: Adele Bouchard)

READ MORE: Winchester to get first drive-thru McDonald's after plan permitted

Despite objections over potential traffic increases amid the climate emergency, the plan was approved unanimously by Winchester City Council at the end of last year.

Cllr Jane Rutter, who chaired the planning committee meeting, previously said: “I hope McDonald's will engage with local residents and improve the cycling and pedestrian access. 

“Litter is not a planning consideration, so we have no power over that unfortunately. 

“There is also no planning reason for it not to be open 24/7. From a planning perspective, there is no reason to refuse any part of it.”

Hampshire Chronicle: The area has been clearly fenced offThe area has been clearly fenced off (Image: Adele Bouchard)

SEE ALSO: Greggs drive-thru: Winchester planning objections over traffic

A McDonald's spokesperson said: “We are excited to have started building work on-site at our new restaurant in Winchester and look forward to opening later this year. The new restaurant will bring significant investment to the local area as well as creating at least 65 full and part-time jobs." 

Currently, Winchester only has one McDonald’s in St George’s Street, which is open 6am-11pm.

Plans for Greggs drive-thru have also been submitted, for the Homebase car park opposite the Tesco Extra in Easton Lane.