May 16, 2012
Wales

Concerns after wind turbine route test runs

Cambrian News, www.cambrian-news.co.uk 16 May 2012

Trial runs for bringing around 600 over-sized loads to Ponterwyd took place along the A487 and A44 last week, as part of final plans for the Nant y Moch windfarm project.

With a police escort, a large flatbed lorry with a ladder extended from the back measuring around 44 metres simulated the over-sized loads which will carry the turbines. According to residents and motorists the trial on Wednesday held up traffic in several places.

The preferred route will see turbines taken from Swansea up the A40 then A478, before joining the A487 in Cardigan. Lorries will follow the road up to Aberystwyth, cutting through Llanbadarn onto the A44 and accessing Nant y Moch via the Nant yr Arian visitor centre.

Llanon resident Pat Simmons, said the project could have a “huge impact” on trade along the A487, would affect commuters and would be generally be disruptive. “I’m not against wind-farms, but I feel this one is too big and will be too disruptive,”she said.

A planning application for the project is due to go before the Planning Inspectorate in autumn, following the abolition of the Infrastructure Planning Commission. If accepted it will become Wales’ largest windfarm with 64 turbines that developers SSE Renewables say will harness enough energy to power 65,000 homes.

Click here for the full story, or see this week’s Aberystwyth edition of the Cambrian News

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/16/concerns-after-wind-turbine-route-test-runs/