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Mid Wales wind turbine transportation exercise a success

25 June 2010

Road transportation trials, simulating the transportation of wind turbine blades and towers to parts of mid Wales, have been undertaken to test a series of suitable road networks for accommodating the delivery of wind turbines.

The exercise which took place from June 21 to 24 provided a detailed assessment of the suitability of the road network to accommodate future deliveries of wind turbines.

The trial runs undertaken by a specialist heavy transport company tested the following 5 routes:

  1. Ellesmere Port to Newtown & Kerry - via M53, A55, A483, A5 south, A483 and A489.
  2. Newtown to Dolfor, Llandbadarn Fynydd & Llanbister - via A483 from Newtown.
  3. Newtown to Llangurig - via A489, A470 south, and A44.
  4. Caersws to Carno and Cemmaes Road - via A470 north
  5. Welshpool to Mallwyd - via Welshpool High Street, A458, and 3km of the B4395.

RenewableUK, which represents wind farm developers with interests in mid Wales, liaised fully with the relevant local highway authorities and the Police in planning the trials. While the trial took place, delays to road users were kept to a minimum by Police escorts.

John Woodruff, Chairman of RenewableUK Cymru, said:

"Mid Wales has been identified as an area suitable for wind energy generation. In order for this potential to be realised it is important to fully understand the area's transportation network and these trials provide the industry and transport authorities with invaluable information on this.

"We are committed to ensuring that the future movement of equipment through this area is done with the least amount of disruption to local people and motorists. The industry is working with transport authorities and looking to work with local communities on how future information could be best distributed."

The fully co-ordinated approach between representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government, Police and the wind industry will be maintained to ensure any impacts on the Mid Wales road network is kept to a minimum.

-ENDS-

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NOTES

  1. RenewableUK is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with 600 corporate members, RenewableUK is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Our primary purpose is to promote the use of renewable power in and around the UK, both onshore and offshore. We act as a central point of information for our membership and as a lobbying group to promote renewable energy to government.
  2. As part of the Welsh Assembly Government's plans to generate energy from renewable sources, parts of mid Wales have been identified as suitable for large scale wind energy developments. These have been identified in its Technical Advice Note 8.