Published at 10:36, Saturday, 12 May 2012

RESIDENTS could be faced with three months of traffic chaos if plans for a five-turbine windfarm are given the go-ahead.

Lorries will make more than 2,000 trips through Haverigg during the construction of the windfarm on land adjacent to HMP Haverigg.

Plans have been submitted to Copeland Borough Council by Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) but a decision is not due for several months.

A total of 1,042 lorries carrying cement, gravel and other aggregates would travel to the site, off North Lane, in Haverigg.

A further 52 special large loads would be due to travel from Port Millom carrying parts of the wind turbines.

There would also be 20 deliveries during the construction of a crane at the site, and 20 during the dismantling of the crane.

Residents feared up to 80 vehicles per day could travel through the village but the company has dismissed the claims.

Stuart Barnes, communications manager for the project, said: “In terms of the vehicle movements, the figure of 80-a-day is nonsense. In terms of abnormal loads there will be 52 deliveries altogether, and they would come into Port Millom and then up to the site.”

Mr Barnes said the abnormal loads, which would carry the turbine components, would be accompanied by police escorts.

The journeys would take place across a three-month period.

Residents have raised concerns about the volume of traffic using the Palmer’s Lane railway bridge, in Millom.

Following a visit by a highways engineer a traffic counter has been installed at the bridge to monitor traffic using the road.

A report commissioned by PfR said the number of staff working on the project would vary between 15 and 60 people and around half of these would travel to the site using a car share scheme.

Councillor Audrey Gabbert, Mayor of Millom, said: “It’s the bridge that’s the problem, we’ve raised concerns about it. It’s not a good way for large vehicles to come into Haverigg. Most of the houses on the way in, and some in Haverigg, don’t have foundations.’’

The plans for the five 120.5m tall turbines have been submitted to Copeland Borough Council though the turbines would be more than double the size of the existing turbines at the site.

A member of Haverigg Residents’ Association, said: “I think the figures speak for themselves.”

The issue is due to be discussed at Millom’s annual town meeting on Wednesday in Millom Council Chamber from 6.30pm.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk