October 6, 2015
Scotland

Angus village fretting over turbine deliveries danger as test run due

By Richard Watt | The Courier | 6 October 2015 | www.thecourier.co.uk

Angus villagers are fearing a “white knuckle ride” planned by windfarm scientists to check their roads can handle 30-metre delivery vehicles.

Developers are keen to start on the six-turbine Govals Farm development, within sight of the A90 at Gateside, after work initially stalled when Angus Council refused planning permission in 2013.

Local protesters were shocked when this was successfully appealed by the Scottish Government the same year.

With no news for almost two years, residents at Gateside have been told developer Green Cat Renewables want to prove they can take the specially-adapted 30-metre turbine delivery vehicles (TDVs) off the A90 and through their unclassified streets.

Following a site inspection and desktop assessment, the developer believes “minimal” verge reinforcement will be needed to get lorries through.

Green Cat, on behalf of landowner David Cooper, has identified seven possible “pinch points” on Gateside’s roads which may require work to cope with blade and crane deliveries lasting up to four months.

Local couple Heatheranne and David Low are afraid “vast” convoys will damage walls, trees, and their peace of mind over children playing in the rural setting.

Heatheranne said: “My concern is the traffic going through Gateside for at least three to four months will cause dirt, noise and disruptions to our daily lives.

“We’re frightened there will be damage to garden walls, trees and homes, not to mention the dangers caused by all the deliveries that will take place, and also the speed of the smaller delivery vehicles and workers’ vehicles.

“There are places with no pavements so little way of escape for cyclists and pedestrians from all the heavy traffic, which is another real danger.”

The Lows have put up a large sign protesting against the turbines.

Blade builders Enercon and their designated haulage company – along with a council representative – will complete a trial run of the delivery route.

After making port at Dundee, the TDV will head through the city along the Kingsway and up the A90 at a time yet to be decided.

Green Cat said: “The analysis indicates that the proposed access route to the wind turbine site at Govals Farm can be safely achieved.”

In January last year, a reporter upheld an application for five turbines nearby at Over Finlarg Farm, despite acknowledging that many of the 11 turbines would be viewed together.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/10/06/angus-village-fretting-over-turbine-deliveries-danger-as-test-run-due/