Solar farm construction plan raises safety concerns for road users

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 17:27 · Archive

Campaigners say 11 temporary passing places on North Yorkshire roads will not adequately protect walkers and cyclists during construction of a 30MW solar farm.

Campaigners opposing a 30MW solar farm development in North Yorkshire have expressed safety concerns about revised highways proposals for construction traffic. The Stop Stell Solar Farm Action Group says 11 temporary passing places on narrow country roads will help large lorries pass each other but would offer limited protection to more vulnerable road users.

The Stell Solar Farm development would cover 113 acres at Lord's Moor Farm, near Exelby, east of Bedale. The revised plans include six passing places along Lord's Lane, where the carriageway narrows to just 2.57 metres in places, as well as two on Westfield Lane, two on the B6285 and one on an unnamed road.

Developer Enviromena Project Management UK Ltd says the additional passing places are necessary to allow large construction vehicles, including articulated lorries up to 16.5 metres long, to pass oncoming traffic safely without reversing. The highways consultants say the proposals were developed following concerns from North Yorkshire Council highways officers about insufficient road widths, poor visibility and lack of suitable 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.The Northern Echo · 4 Nov, 17:00
• 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.Darlington & Stockton Times · 4 Nov, 17:00

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

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