October 1, 2010
Scotland

Clatto campaigners say turbines will distract drivers

By Lindsey Alexander 30 September 2010 fifetoday.co.uk

A NORTH east Fife campaign group has claimed plans to erect wind turbines on Clatto Hill will have serious road safety implications.

Clatto Landscape Protection Group, which was set up in 2002 and successfully battled Scottish Power’s application for a large windfarm in the area, has claimed the erection of 10 turbines would be distracting to drivers using the C30 Cults to Kennoway Road.

Group chair Greg Brown said the plans by two separate interests, Green Cat Renewables and West Coast Energy, to build two windfarms with three and seven turbines respectively, would add to the hazards already facing motorists on this minor road.

“This is a narrow road with blind summits and bends over its length,” he said.

“This means that turbines come into view suddenly in several places. Common sense suggests that they will inevitably distract drivers.”
Mr Brown went on to say CLPG’s concerns were supported by official guidance on the siting of windfarms close to roads.

He said: “The guidance advises that any turbines should be seen first from a long way off and gradually come into view to give drivers time to assimilate this into their picture of road conditions.

“The C30 is already a road with many hazards. Every year many vehicles land up in the ditches and fields by the road.

“It is rarely gritted in icy or snowy conditions.

“It makes no sense to add to the dangers with driver distraction from very large wind turbines.”

The campaign group has now called on Fife Council to refer the matter to Fife Police for investigation.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/10/01/clatto-campaigners-say-turbines-will-distract-drivers/