A public meeting is to be held this evening (Friday) near Burnham-On-Sea for residents to voice their concerns about controversial plans to build a new road for lorries along the route of a proposed line of power pylons.
East Huntspill Parish Council is fighting National Grid’s plan for a new road for heavy construction vehicles during the build of the power pylons that will run through the Burnham area from Hinkley Point C to Avonmouth.
Parish Council Clerk Jane Moreton told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Heavy goods vehicles would use this route, coming from the A38 via Watchfield, seven days a week every 15 minutes, during the construction of the road, and then to access the building of the pylons for up to five years afterwards.”
“The Parish Council and residents feel that the area is already at capacity regarding HGV traffic, and any increase will have a huge impact on safety, wellbeing and the environment.”
She added: “Somerset County Council are condoning this plan, claiming risk assessments, research and analysis have been carried out to show this is an appropriate development, but the Parish Council have not been consulted in any way, nor provided with any of the data SCC claim to have collected, despite repeated requests.”
“When councillors raised objections at a Planning Inspectorate hearing in April, National Grid were asked by the Inspectorate to find some alternative ideas to the use of Factory Lane. On 16th June they informed the subsequent hearing that other alternatives were not viable, without presenting any evidence.”
“The only solution offered for safety concerns was double yellow lines, which would mean that villagers would have no parking outside their houses.”
It is proposed that Factory Lane in Basonbridge will be extended along the old railway line to the new T-pylon route.
Parish councillor Nigel Litton added: “The National Grid company should not be allowed to dictate their views and cause considerable inconvenience to people who live and work in this area.”
The public meeting is being held tonight (Friday, 10th July) at 8.15pm in East Huntspill Church Hall ahead of the final Planning Inspectorate deadline on July 13th.
