Solar farm plans raise concerns over HGV traffic on narrow roads

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 17:00 · Archive

A North Yorkshire solar farm project involving 850 HGV movements has prompted criticism over road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Stop Stell Solar Farm Action Group has raised safety concerns about revised highways proposals for the 30MW Stell Solar Farm, a 113-acre development on Lord's Moor Farm near Exelby, east of Bedale.

The developer has submitted plans for 11 temporary passing places: six along Lord's Lane, two on Westfield Lane, two on the B6285 and one on an unnamed road. These would widen sections of Lord's Lane to between six and 6.5 metres to allow two heavy goods vehicles to pass safely. The developer says the passing places are necessary to accommodate construction traffic, including articulated lorries up to 16.5 metres long, which would otherwise need to reverse on roads with poor visibility and insufficient width.

Campaigners dispute this protection. The action group says while the proposed road widening would help large lorries pass each other, it offers limited protection to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The developer's highways consultants, Motion, note that the proposals followed concerns from North Yorkshire Council highways officers about insufficient road widths, poor visibility and lack of passing opportunities. The developer maintains the widening can be accommodated within the existing highway boundary without removing hedgerows, though some trimming would be required.

How it is being reported

• Fears for walkers and cyclists as 850 HGV movements planned for solar farm buildNorth Yorkshire solar farm critics say 11 temporary passing places for Stell Solar Farm lorries will not protect walkers, cyclists and horse riders, campaigners say.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 4 Nov, 16:21
• Fears for walkers and cyclists as 850 HGV movements planned for solar farm buildNorth Yorkshire solar farm critics say 11 temporary passing places for Stell Solar Farm lorries will not protect walkers, cyclists and horse riders, campaigners say.The Press (York) · 4 Nov, 16:21

In this story: Stell Solar Farm · Enviromena Project Management UK Ltd · Stop Stell Solar Farm Action Group · North Yorkshire · Lord's Moor Farm · Exelby · Bedale

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