February 20, 2012
England

‘Distracting’ 426ft wind turbines would pose risk to drivers, says group

www.burnham-on-sea.com 20 February 2012

Campaigners fighting a developer’s plans to build four 426ft tall wind turbines near Burnham-On-Sea have this week said the wind farm would pose a safety risk to motorists on the M5 due to it being a “serious distraction”.

The No Pilrow group has released this new photomontage to illustrate how the wind farm would look from the motorway bridge at Rooksbridge, where the A38 crosses the M5.

David Maund, spokesman for No Pilrow, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “NoPilrow is very concerned about the serious distraction that the four enormous 426ft high turbines may cause to the drivers on the busy M5 motorway.”

“This will be especially relevant for motorists driving south and emerging from beneath the A38 bridge at Rooksbridge when they will immediately be presented with this scene.”

“We believe that our montage highlights both the conflicting views that drivers will be presented with, and the possibility of accidents occurring due to drivers momentarily losing concentration, because of the immediate visual impact of these turbines.”

The comments come on the same day that developer Broadview is holding a public exhibition for residents to see its plans.

The firm’s event is being held throughout today (Monday, 20th February) in Mark Village Hall from 9.30am to 1.30pm and then at East Brent Village Hall from 4.00pm to 8.00pm.

Mr Maund added: “Now that the heights and positions of the turbines have been decided, we have used special software to give an impression of how the turbines might look if they were constructed.”

“We are confident that we have done the best possible job with the resources we have. Even though we are a small village group, we feel we have managed to produce a relevant and descriptive montage.”

“Although we have consistently requested that they do so, Broadview have produced nothing even though they have the expertise and resources to do this quickly.”

The No Pilrow group will hold meetings for residents in Mark Village Hall this Wednesday 22nd February from 7pm – 9pm, then in the Wellington Arms, Rooksbridge on Thursday 23rd February from 7.30pm – 9.30pm, and in East Brent Village Hall on Monday 27th February from 7pm – 9pm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/20/distracting-426ft-wind-turbines-would-pose-risk-to-drivers-says-group/