Cheryl Martin, shares this latest update from WAGE – Wootton, Whippingham & Arreton Against Gravel Extraction. In her own words. Ed
Wight Building Materials has not been able to demonstrate that the 50 HGV movements a day associated with the proposed sand and gravel extraction at Palmers Farm can safely be accommodated along the proposed route.
This is the latest feedback from Hampshire County Council (HCC) who are acting as the Highway Authority in reviewing this application due to Islands Roads and Wight Building Materials both being part owned by French construction giant Vinci group.
HCC: A number of safety issues
Although recognising Brocks Copse Road and Alverstone Road are currently used by a mix of traffic, HCC note,
“This proposed development is increasing the frequency of potential conflict occurring as it is increasing the number of HGVs using these roads.”
And that it considers that,
“There are a number of safety issues with the use of Brocks Copse Road, given that it is narrow, has significant changes in levels and a lack of formal passing places.”
Backhouse: Detrimental impact on the rural nature of the area
This conclusion was independently confirmed in a 37-page report by YES Engineering Ltd commissioned by WAGE (Wootton, Whippingham and Arreton Against Gravel Extraction). Yes Transport Director, Kathryn Backhouse,
“It is our conclusion that the proposed route contravenes numerous Isle of Wight local plan, highway safety and National Planning Policy Framework policies.
“It is clear that the roadworks that are needed to facilitate safe access of 20 tonne lorries to and from Palmers Farm along the route specified cannot be achieved and would have a detrimental impact on the rural nature of the area.”
A WAGE spokesperson concludes,
“We welcome Hampshire County Council’s latest feedback and their request for yet further information from Wight Building Materials. Both the transport and environmental experts we have consulted to review this application have all identified numerous failings in the assessments and reports submitted to date and we urge the Isle of Wight Planning Committee to fully consider these before making any decision on this application.”
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