March 22, 2016
Ireland

Road blocked! Arrival of wind turbine parts causes problems

Monday 21st of March 2016 | www.donegalnow.com

One of the most scenic parts of the Wild Atlantic Way was blocked this morning – by two massive low-loaders transporting tubular steel parts for two giant wind turbines!

The road between Greencastle and Culdaff became blocked when the low-loaders arrived with parts for the turbines which will be erected on Crockbrack Hill, above Kinnagoe Bay (pictured).

There has been considerable opposition from local people to the proposals to erect the wind turbines – which will have a tip height of almost 120 metres.

According to the Inishowen Wind Energy Awareness Group (IWEAG), there was no advance notice of the movements this morning.

It points out that normally local people are notified, through public notices in newspapers, signage, or directly, about major transportation movements like this.

“People are surprised and angry,” commented one local resident.

He pointed out that the gateway was not wide enough into the land where a road has been built for access to the wind farm site. This meant that the low-loaders got stuck at the gate.

There is also now concern about how some local children will get home from school.

Questions are now being asked as to why the criteria laid down in the planning conditions appears not to have been fully complied with.

No gardai were present either, as is sometimes the case for movements of this nature.

Many local people feel that there has been a lack of consultation throughout the whole process.

The initial planning application in 2012 provoked considerable local opposition. Although it did not proceed, further applications were made with amendments, and subsequently granted.

More recently, there have been more planning applications in relation to the site, seeking a third turbine and also higher turbines.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/03/22/road-blocked-arrival-of-wind-turbine-parts-causes-problems/