West Clare facing HGV ‘invasion’?

WEST Clare is facing the prospect of an “invasion” of over 22,000 heavy goods vehicles’ trips and transport disruption for a three to four-year period, if An Bord Pleanála approves a new €100 million windfarm, a new lobby group has claimed.

The newly-formed Rural Protection Group and Kilrush town councillors have expressed alarm about the impact thousands of heavy goods vehicles would have on roads in Kilrush town and the surrounding areas during the construction phase of the development of 45 wind turbines in the parishes of Doonbeg, Cooraclare and Kilrush.
A statement issued by the group claimed the development would turn the West Clare landscape into a “gigantic building site” for three years and warned this should be of particular concern to business and residents of Kilrush town, which is part of the designated haulage route.
Highlighting the impact HGVs would have on Kilrush roads, Councillor Tom Prendeville said he is “amazed” there was no consultation with the town council under the Local Traffic Management Plan.
He questioned the re-routing of traffic through the town and recalled local residents endured a difficult period during the construction phase of Moneypoint.
A Haul Route Assessment provided by Jennings O’Donovan and Partners on behalf of the developers, Clare Coastal Wind Power Limited, estimates the maximum number of loads to be delivered on-site during the construction of the site road, crane hardstands, turbine foundations and substation building would be about 11,046, in a worst-case scenario.
This includes loads of concrete, gravel, stone, reinforced steel, geo textiles, electrical cables, switch gear, timber removal and general construction material. It will also involve the transportation of various machines including one 1,000-ton crane and one 100-ton crane, at least six hydraulic excavators and six dump trucks, seven prefabricated site cabins, two prefabricated changing rooms and six lock-up storage rooms, as well as prefab canteens and toilets.
The developers propose to source all imported stone from local quarries.
Due to the underlying ground conditions of the site, the consulting engineers admitted it is unlikely that on-site borrow pits would be used to source road-making materials. These materials would be delivered to the site on an average of 26 loads daily using standard rigid lorries, low-loaders and ready-mix lorries.
The engineers estimated about 540 “abnormal” loads containing turbine parts would be delivered to the site over a 12-month period after the receipt of the relevant approvals and permits. It is anticipated another 125 loads will be required to remove all temporary on-site equipment and materials.
Engineers estimate the total number of delivery vehicles to the site would be 11,711, based on the assumption that all stone to be used for construction is to be imported and that a borrow pit is not developed on site.
“Before the delivery to the site of the turbine components via Foynes port, the developer would consult with Clare and Limerick County Council Road Departments, the gardaí and the National Roads Authority to discuss the requirement for the provision of a garda escort and any other requirements the various statutory bodies may have.
“The developer would also make known the intended timescale for deliveries and all efforts would be made to avoid school bus runs, church services and peak traffic times. All local residents along the affected route would be notified of the timescale of deliveries.
“Having reviewed various possible routes for accessing the site, it is concluded that the proposed route offers the least amount of disruption to local road users. No third-party land requirements for route widening works will be required for this haul route,” the engineers stated.
The group pointed out every delivery to the site involves a return journey for the vehicle, which results in a total of 23,400 trips in the civil construction phase. A spokesman for the developers declined to comment on the number of trips or the group’s claims.
The official haul route for these “abnormal” loads is: from Foynes Port onto Ennis and from Ennis to Kilrush on the main road N67; on the outskirts of Kilrush town turn left off N67 on to Wilson’s Road; proceed up Crawford Street, Moore Street, pass Kilrush Town Hall and Square and on to Frances Street; at the end of Frances Street vehicles will turn right at Glynn’s Mills onto junction of O’Gorman St/Pella Rd; turn right and continue past library, community centre and Kilrush National School to the roundabout at end of Henry Street; turn left at Henry Street past Kilrush Health Centre and proceed past Shannon Heights on the main Kilkee Road, turning right on to the Doonbeg Road; vehicles will proceed along the Doonbeg Road past Kilrush Rugby Club and Monmore Church and a short distance past the church is one of the site entrances.
Considering the approved six turbines at Tullabrack are scheduled for construction before end of 2012, the group warned the area is facing the possibility of an “invasion of heavy goods vehicles and transport disruption for three to four years”.
“The disruption to normal routine will be constant and frustrating and will have long-term implications for business. Everyone using the Kilrush to Ennis Road to access work, Shannon Airport, get to the train station on time, travelling to the ferry, delivering goods to shops and other business, school buses and indeed farmers going to the mart, will all be impacted.
“Kilrush town will be seriously impacted and some of the footpaths and kerbs will have to be removed to cater for the width of the lorries. The size and weight of these lorries and trailers will do untold damage to the roads and car parking for locals, tourists and shoppers will be greatly affected as all cars and vehicles will have to be off the streets to allow movements of these huge lorries.
“The developers justify the selection of this route by stating it was used as the haulage route for the Monmore turbines. However, there were seven turbines in that case 335ft high, compared to 45 turbines each 415ft high,” the group claimed.
Councillor Tom Clyne opposes the use of some of the main streets in Kilrush as a route for abnormal loads, considering the town council upgraded the road surface in Crawford Street and is currently improving Moore Street.
Councillor Paul Moroney is reserving his position until the final date for submission on December 16, while Councillor Liam Williams declined to comment until he received more information. Efforts by The Clare Champion to get a comment from other councillors proved unsuccessful.
Councillor Tom Prendeville has called on An Bord Pleanála to insist on the provision of an independent EIS to assess the provision of 45 wind turbines in West Clare.
Claiming the height of the new turbines would be “visually obtrusive”, he warned they would result in surrounding areas being visually vulnerable.
“The introduction of developments of strategic importance, which can bypass local authorities straight to An Bord Pleanála dilutes local consultation and democracy. I am concerned there seems to be more of an emphasis on animals and birds than on the negative health and safety risks for human beings.