Turbines to continue causing traffic misery along A96 despite protests – Press and Journal

By Ben Handry

An energy firm has ruled out transporting huge turbine parts overnight
despite protests from motorists left frustrated by traffic delays.

Massive machinery is being slowly ferried along the A96 Inverness to
Aberdeen road to reach the Dorenell wind farm near Dufftown, causing large
tailbacks on a regular basis.

Several motorists have raised complaints about the congestion, with one
trader fearful of the impact the prolonged journey times could have on his
delivery business.

And in Elgin, the Tesco supermarket recently had to warn customers over the
tannoy system that they would be unable to leave its car park for 20
minutes as the convoy crawled past.

Moray MP, Douglas Ross, said he “understands the frustrations” shared by
many locals and recently took up the matter on behalf of his constituents.

Mr Ross asked the police and EDF Energy, which runs the wind farm, if it
would be possible to deliver the parts when the roads are quieter.

But both have now got back to him to advise that such a move would not be
possible.

A letter from Dorenell project director, John Penman, said: “The
transportation of turbines relies on abnormal load permits and the
availability of a police escort for the convoys.”

Mr Penman added that residents are able to sign up to an alert system to
receive text message updates about the deliveries, and confirmed 100 people
have so far done so.

Chief Inspector for Moray, Stewart Mackie, explained that the parts had to
be delivered during daylight for safety reasons.

He said: “For reasons of safety and to minimise disruption, it is our
policy that abnormal loads of this size will not be moved during the hours
of darkness or poor visibility, or during rush hour traffic.

“The inherent risks due to visibility are simply too great.”

Mr Ross last night accepted that overnight deliveries would present
“unacceptable safety risks”.

He added: “I was contacted by local people who have been seriously delayed
by these convoys multiple times.

“I am sorry that proposals suggest to relieve the congestion and
frustration are not possible, and the only saving grace is that there are
points along the route where the lorries can stop safely to allow traffic
to pass.”