Windfarm trial run went 'without a hitch' (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Windfarm trial run went 'without a hitch'

5:40pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

A TRIAL run by the development company behind the Armistead wind farm at Old Hutton was hailed a success.

Banks Renewables tested the route from the M6 using an unladen wagon to simulate the movement of the largest of the loads which will be transported to the site.

There was some concern from residents living on the route at Helmside Road, Oxenholme, who said they were given no notification of the trial run and hadn’t moved their cars. But the vehicle was able to pass through without incident.

From junction 36 of the motorway, the wagon travelled north on the A65 from Crooklands to Oxenholme, and then through Middleshaw to Old Hutton.

Development director Phil Dyke said: “The test day was designed to help us plan for the delivery of six wind turbines, which are scheduled to arrive during October, and we are extremely pleased with how everything went.

“Working closely with the police and the local authority, we were able to carry out this exercise with minimum disruption to traffic, and we’d like to thank both of them for their help, as well as people living and travelling along the transport route for their assistance.

“The exercise provided a great deal of useful insight and information, which we will be discussing with community representatives at a meeting of the Armistead Liaison Committee next week.

“Once the details of the delivery process have been finalised, we will be writing to everyone living along the route to advise them of our plans, and will ensure that as much information as possible is made available during the delivery period to anyone who might be affected.

“As well as publicising this through local media, we are also setting up a daily email alert service which will tell people when and where transport movements are planned, and anyone wishing to sign up for these alerts can do so by emailing Armistead@banksgroup.co.uk”