Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
• Disruption and driver delay – Any effects of delay to other road users would only be
apparent during the movement of abnormal loads as a result of their large size and
low speed rather than their numbers. The A801, A706 and A70 are single
carriageway roads, the police and any other escort personnel would ensure that driver
delay is minimised by identifying locations ahead of the abnormal load where it could
stop safely to allow vehicles to pass. There would be 78 abnormal loads over the
entire turbine delivery period and efforts will be made to undertake these outside of
peak traffic hours in order to prevent any disruption or delay during these periods.
It is considered that some driver delay could occur as a result of the abnormal loads,
however the temporary nature and safe escorting of vehicles should be borne in mind.
It is considered that the magnitude of change would be small to medium and the
significance of effect of disruption and driver delay as a result of the abnormal loads
upon receptors along the route would be slight to moderate.
• Increased risk of accidents - There is a potential for effects on safety as a
consequence of driver frustration related to the movement of abnormal loads.
However, all abnormal loads will be under police escort who will not only assist the
abnormal loads but will control any oncoming vehicles or vehicles following the
abnormal load. This should minimise driver frustration and reduce the risk of
accidents. It is therefore considered any magnitude of change would be negligible
and the significance of effect of accidents and safety as a result of abnormal loads
upon receptors along the route would be negligible.
• Severance, Intimidation and Pedestrian Delay - An increase in vehicle numbers,
particularly HGVs through towns and villages, could result in additional delays to
pedestrians wishing to cross the road i.e. severance. HGV traffic, particularly
abnormal loads, can reduce the amenity of pedestrian routes in towns and villages to
the extent that pedestrians feel intimidated by the traffic.
There would be 78 abnormal loads which could result in intimidation or pedestrian
delay, however, these movements would be spread over the construction period and
any effect would be infrequent. On this basis, it is therefore considered any
magnitude of change would be negligible and the significance of effect of severance,
intimidation and pedestrian delay as a result of the abnormal loads upon receptors
along the route would be negligible.
• Dust and dirt - HGVs have the potential to distribute dust and dirt from the proposed
wind farm construction site onto the local road network and is mostly pronounced in
the immediate vicinity of proposed wind farms access. All access roads would be
constructed and surfaced in an appropriate manner and, combined with on-site
construction management, it is therefore considered any magnitude of change would
be negligible and the significance of effect of dust and dirt as a result of the abnormal
loads upon receptors along the route would be negligible.
• Visual effects - The movements of high-sided vehicles during the construction period
could be considered visually intrusive. Any effect would be short-term and only occur
during the movement of abnormal loads.
In terms of driver distraction relating to the movement of abnormal loads, such loads
would not be travelling at any great speed and drivers within their proximity would
likely slow down, and on occasion even stop, whilst passing. Given these reduced
March 2013 7-16 ES Chapter 7
Traffic and Transport
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