Traffic and Access

Infinergy consulted with Lincolnshire County Council and the Highways Agency in order to find the most suitable construction access route. For the turbine towers, it was necessary to identify a route which was able to accommodate an ultra long vehicle (up to 48m) with a wide turning circle and swept path. For general construction traffic, the route needed to be able to accommodate HGVs.

The preferred route for all construction traffic exits the A1 (northbound) at Long Bennington, turns left onto Sewstern Lane, continues for approximately 2km, past Thackson's Well Farm, and then turns right onto a farm track where it reaches the wind farm after 600m. It should be noted that all construction traffic would access the Site via the A1 from the south, in order to avoid HGV traffic passing through Long Bennington. Modifications to the highway, removal of small sections of hedgerows, verges and trees would be necessary to accommodate the long vehicles carrying the turbine components.

Traffic flows would range between 70 movements a day during road widening works, 80 a day during the first six months of construction, and peaking at 180 for ten days when the turbine foundations are being poured. Traffic flows would be managed by a Traffic Management Plan, to be prepared by the chosen contractor. Mitigation measures would minimise the impact on the local road network. These would include police presence and assistance with traffic control during the manoeuvring of the long low-loader vehicles, and further detailed discussions with the Highways Authorities to agree the traffic control requirements during the construction phase.