Border concern over convoys

A border village has once again raised concerns about the ongoing large convoys that we announced yesterday will be running through the area until Christmas.

Yesterday another wind farm developer south of Newtown confirmed that it would carry out a test run on Friday with a view to starting their voyages through Montgomeryshire as soon as the current convoys to the Cefn Coch development finish in September.

And while there has only been limited disruption to date, there are concerns that this latest announcement will only compound the traffic misery for residents in Llanymynech.

Dilys Gaskill, chairman of Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council, told the Shropshire Star: “We haven’t seen many of the scheduled deliveries and now we hear two deliveries are expected this Friday so it will be like waiting for a bus; you get none then two arrive at the same time.

“When this Tirgwynt finishes its deliveries another one will start theirs and carry on until Christmas. They are trying to keep us informed and we need electricity but we don’t need more congestion and still feel left in the dark with regards to timings and planning our days. We want to know when the very large blades are coming through so everyone will be safe.”

Sophy Fearnley-Whittingstall, spokeswoman for Awel Newydd Cyf, developers of Tirgwynt Wind Farm, also told the newspaper: “This week we are expecting one daytime delivery each day, including Saturday. It is difficult to give out accurate information about timings because of variables. But anyone with issues like hospital appointments can call our information line to sign up for text alerts or email us.

“The convoys have a very long journey - starting from Goole in East Yorkshire - and traffic conditions can vary enormously across the country, which can impact on both the timing and frequency of deliveries.

“We are doing our best to give members of the public accurate information through our websitewhich is updated as soon as we receive information on the location of the convoys, so that they can plan their journeys.”

* For more information about the turbine routes,  call 01524 230855, email info@tirgwyntwindfarmclg.co.uk, visit tirgwyntwindfarmclg.co.uk or follow @DPPAbnormalload on Twitter.

PICTURE: Monday's convoy captured by Ian Francis.