July 26, 2013
Scotland

Long and windy road

The Southern Reporter | 26 July 2013 | www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk

Two Teviotdale communities will be changed if land is gouged away to allow transportation of 17 wind turbines up to 121.5 metres in height.

That is the claim of residents after Northampton-based Infinis submitted drawings with last month’s Windy Edge proposal to widen the A6088 road by clearing an area of embankment alongside in Bonchester Bridge and removing street furniture and utilities at the Chesters Crossroads.

But there are claims that owners of land that would be affected have yet to be approached, and there is concern for those living alongside the A6088, such as artist Hugh Roberts who lives with wife Lindsay at Cheviot House at the Chesters Crossroads.

He said: “The turbines will be coming via Carter Bar and the swept path analysis shows they will be coming round the bend within metres of our home.

“It will affect two houses we have in the vicinity as well as our neighbours.

“These are old houses without deep foundations and we are concerned about the vibrations’ affect on the houses and what state the road will be left in.

“We had a meeting with the developer and they said if we have worries then we should look into it and get a survey done. We are all a bit uneasy about the whole situation.

“Both Chesters and Bonchester Bridge are going to be completely changed by this – I can’t see how that can be avoided.”

Philip Kerr of the Chesters Wind Farm Action Group, told us: “This would affect the environment and look of the village of Bonchester Bridge.

“This will lead to a massive disruption.

“Developers should consider something like this before an application is submitted. They should speak to the council and landowners.”

But Ben Ridder, project developer for Infinis, says widening the road would only be needed if the largest rotors and tower sections are used for the turbines.

“The actual extent of modifications required will most likely be less than this,” added Mr Ridder.

“In the event that modifications will be necessary on private land, these will not take place without the full agreement of the landowner.

“Any damage to the road surface resulting from construction traffic is then required to be repaired by the company (Infinis).

“Research available on the vibrations likely to be generated by turbine delivery vehicles indicates that this is below the threshold that would result in any damage to buildings.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/26/long-and-windy-road/