New calls for bypass as Shropshire and Mid Wales turbine convoys begin
[gallery] A bypass to reduce traffic going through Pant and Llanymynech would lessen the impact huge lorries carrying wind turbine parts would have on the region's roads, say residents.
Many of them waited in the streets of the two villages yesterday to catch a glimpse of
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The convoy also made its way through Welshpool – including its town centre – before arriving at the windfarm site.
However despite bosses at energy firm Awel Newydd Cyf – developers of Tirgwynt windfarm – stating the first convoy ran smoothly, the lorry, with a police escort in tow, made its way through Shropshire and Powys two hours later than expected because of slow passing traffic in Cheshire, which impacted on the delivery drivers' break in Wrexham.
The convoy is expected to travel between 11am and 2.30pm, six-days-a-week, until mid September.
The first run saw just one vehicle – rather than two – carrying two hubs for the turbines along the A483. According to bosses at Awel Newydd Cyf the convoys will consist of two vehicles going forwards, with the aim of increasing to a maximum of three vehicles in a bid to shorten the delivery period.
Pant and Llanymynech parish councillor Terry Mason said residents from both villages had been crying out for a bypass to run through the villages for more than three decades.
He said: "I'm worried about the next few months ahead. I've lived here for 39 years now and the road has become worse during that time and I wonder what effect these deliveries will have, especially if they're happening six days a week.
"We've been trying to get a bypass here for 30-odd years now and I do think that would help."
Councillor Mason also questioned how the firm could provide accurate timings on a daily basis due to traffic causing delays yesterday and during the trial run of the route which took place last month.
Pant resident Sharon Maddocks, 45, also said she believed a bypass between Pant and Llanymynech would alleviate the strain on the villages' roads and motorists during the delivery period.
She said: "I'm not against renewable energy at all, in fact I grew up near to Ironbridge Power Station so I've seen the pollution from that, so wind turbines are a much better, less polluted way for us to produce our power but I do feel these convoys would run smoother with a bypass between Pant and Llanymynech. It would be better for everyone with one."
Yesterday's first run saw just one vehicle – rather than two – carrying two hubs for the turbines along the A483 to take the parts to the Tirgwynt windfarm site.
According to the windfarm developers, the convoys will consist of two vehicles, with the aim of increasing to a maximum of three vehicles in a bid to shorten the delivery period.
The convoy made its way from Wrexham through to Oswestry, Pant, Llanymynech and Welshpool, before it travelled along the A458 and B4385 to the site entrance just beyond Cefn Coch.
Yesterday's run sparked a difference in opinions from residents, with many stating renewable energy is needed, while others saying it would have an impact on tourism in the area as deliveries are taking place during the summer holidays.
Marl Vickers, 75, from Llanymynech, waited to take some pictures of the convoy.
He said: "Of course I have great sympathy for those who will encounter this on their doorsteps but we need electricity, that's the fact of the matter."
Paul Whittingham, 55, from Brynyddol in Welshpool, said the energy turbines produce outweighs the delays on the area's roads. He said: "We need clean, renewable energy, and unfortunately this is the only way.
"In the grand scheme of things, it's two months of disruption, and we have people complaining about coal and oil, surely this would cut back on that."
Some residents however, believed the developers had chosen the wrong time of the year to transport the components, Peta Elliot-Mills, 68, from Llanymynech, said: "Why is this happening this time of the year? Right as the school holidays have started. That makes no sense to me.
"The roads are busy this time of year anyway without these deliveries. I think more consideration from the developers should have been taken."
Awel Newydd has pledged to update people on their journeys via their website.
Pete Thomas, construction manager for the firm, said: "We are very pleased that the first convoy passed through Pant and Welshpool smoothly and without incident, proving that our detailed preparation work has been effective.
"Whilst it will be difficult to predict what time the convoys will reach key points on the route each day due to varying traffic conditions along the way, we will be keeping our website updated with the latest information and suggest that people who are concerned check this for the latest updates at www.tirgwyntwindfarmclg.co.uk"
