Turbine within the Whitelee extension (Whiteleehill Farm area) loses nose cone

Email from East Ayrshire Council in response to concerns  raised by Moscow and Waterside  Community Council

A turbine within the extension (Whiteleehill Farm area) lost its nose cone last week.  It fell to the ground from height.  As a result it was necessary to close the entire extension until such time as all turbines could be tested.  So far they have tested approx. 30 (of 75) and hope to complete the remaining turbines in next ~3 days.

Notwithstanding that there are genuine H&S concerns, and SPR’s closures were implemented for these reasons, there do need to be procedural improvements and much better notification.  This is something we’ll need to discuss for the future.  As an observation, I’d also say that SPR’s temporary closure signage could better convey the H&S basis for the closure.

In terms of reviewing these actions from my end I pass the following comments. SPR were right to close the area in question due to safety issues and appear to be progressing rapidly to check matters and re-open the site. The lessons to be learnt and to be taken up with SPR will be communications both in terms of at the point leading up to the closure and during the closure.

As an aside but related matter its worth noting that the route to Croilburn is not a designated Core Path or Public Right of Way as such public access would be taken on the basis of exercising area wide access rights contained within the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and in turn consideration of any closures would be on the basis of this right.

Regards

Jim