A campaign group set up to fight the building of incinerators in Cheshire is concerned about the traffic implications of a proposed waste treatment plant in Northwich.
Danish renewable energy firm DONG Energy has applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council for permission to construct and operate REnescience Northwich on part of the Lostock Works industrial site.
The bioresource facility – which does not involve incineration – would treat unsorted municipal and commercial waste from across the North West and North Midlands.
The proposed development site is located on brownfield land off the A530 Griffiths Road.
CHAIN (Cheshire Anti-Incinerator Network) has expressed concern over the potential volume of traffic on the A530 and King Street after examining projected figures submitted as part of the application.
The projections for 2017, which take into account REnescience, show 1,693 vehicles using the A530 between 5pm and 6pm on weekdays.
Liam Byrne, a CHAIN representative, described the implications of the figures ‘frightening’.
“The single carriageway is totally unsuitable for the projected level of traffic,” he said.
“This is particularly important in what is a growing residential area with many schools and nurseries located close by.
“Imagine trying to cross that road on a dark winter evening with rain pouring down, and cars and HGVs passing at the rate of 28 every minute.
“Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings would only cause more chaos as traffic backed up and drivers became impatient.
“Quite frankly, the councillors on the planning committee would be bonkers and irresponsible if they allow it to go through."
But DONG Energy has responded that REnescience, if it receives the green light, would require an average of four arrivals and four departures of HGVs per hour during the working day – which is from 7am to 7.30pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays – which will be spread out.
DONG Energy explain
Ian Crummack, project spokesman for DONG Energy, said: “To imply that the development itself would create a wholesale increase in traffic and would add 28 vehicles per minute during rush hour is neither correct nor responsible.
“At present, there are currently 1,388 vehicles – or 23 per minute - on King Street at rush hour.
“By 2017, even without the REnescience development going ahead, this is estimated to increase to 1,678 or 28 per minute due to natural growth and other developments.
“If the REnescience development is consented, this would add only 15 vehicles at rush hour, increasing the total slightly to 1,693 vehicles – still around 28 per minute.
“This represents an increase of 0.9% or 0.25 of a vehicle per minute, which is a very minor change in traffic and well within what the A-road can safely accommodate without increasing congestion.”
Pedestrian crossing offer
DONG Energy has offered to contribute towards an additional pedestrian crossing or other improvement on Griffiths Road, in response to suggestions from residents during the public consultation events it held over the summer.
Mr Crummack added that a detailed assessment of air quality undertaken by DONG Energy showed that air quality would remain ‘well within the standards set to protect health’.
“We would like to reassure residents that if this project goes ahead, we will do everything we can to be a good neighbour and ensure the facility is an asset to the community,” he said.
