June 21, 2014
England

Cliviger wind farm work: residents’ fears realised

Burnley Express | 21 June 2014 | www.burnleyexpress.net

Neighbours fear a nightmare of danger and damage when hauliers start delivering huge wind turbine components past their homes.

The residents in Red Lees Road, Cliviger, had objected in vain against Scottish Power Renewables’ plan to replace existing turbines at Coal Clough wind farm with new ones 110 metres high.

They say tipper trucks travelling to the site are damaging their homes and causing traffic problems.

On Wednesday they put company representatives on the spot as contractors moved in with an excavator to demolish a wall to clear the way for the trucks and trailers, more than 50 metres long, that will deliver the pylon components and 45-metre blades to a contractors’ compound down the road. Last year trial runs were held and a truck and trailer got stuck.

The trucks will be coming from the M65 and via Brierfield, Eastern Avenue, Queen’s Park and Mereclough.

Mother-of-three Louise Keddick said the vibration from tipper trucks carrying building materials had already dislodged cornerstones on her home extension. She said: “We’re frightened it will get worse when the big trucks come down the road, hit kerbs and run over the drains under the road.

“The volume of traffic is too heavy for the road and we’re worried about the safety of our children.”

Neighbour Michael Hunt, a Cliviger parish councillor, added: “We put forward properly thought-out objections to the new turbines back when Burnley Council were considering the plans. It looks everything we feared is going to happen.”

He said the temporary traffic lights newly installed on a narrow part of the road were inadequate as they did not control traffic entering from two side roads.

A spokesperson for ScottishPower Renewables said: “We were happy to meet with residents today to discuss the windfarm.

“Although it is not possible to say road traffic is responsible for any damage, we will closely monitor the situation with the council going forward.

“Following our discussions, we will be changing the traffic lights to a four-way control with immediate effect.

“We are always happy to hear feedback from the community, and respond to any matters. We have regular contact with the parish council on the project, and the direct number to speak to our principal contractor is published at site – 0800 783 1423 (Site registration number 77260).”

The spokesman addded: “Work on the Coal Clough repowering is progressing well. In the last few months we have been laying the tracks and undertaking the civil engineering work required. We have recently started removing the existing turbines, and we remain on schedule to start the delivery of new turbines in late July. We anticipate the project being fully commissioned by late Autumn.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/21/cliviger-wind-farm-work-residents-fears-realised/