Transport
- How would fuel be delivered?
- How much extra traffic is created by the plant?
- Why are lorries restricted to specific routes?
- How would straw lorries be kept away from minor roads?
- What work has been done to assess the existing traffic network?
- Can the bales fall off the lorries?
- How do Eco2 propose to deal with the straw littering issue?
- What size are the lorries that will be transporting straw to the plant site?
- What happens if the designated route to the plant is blocked?
- How will Eco2 ensure that traffic is confined to the designated routes?
- How will Eco manage its impact on congestion in the local area?
How would fuel be delivered?
The straw would be delivered in the form of Hesston Bales. The bales would be delivered on flat bed trailers, typically in a drawbar combination (i.e. flat bed lorry & trailer) carrying three layers of 12 bales. Wood would be delivered in chip form in bulk tipping lorries.
How much extra traffic is created by the plant?
The plant would create a total of 100 additional HGV movements per full day of deliveries (bearing in mind that we are only proposing fuel deliveries on weekdays and half-days on Saturdays). The 100 movements equate to 50 each way: 47 for straw deliveries, with the balance for the removal of ash and other less frequent deliveries.
Staff movements, assuming all arrive individually by car, would create 36 journeys on a weekday (18 in and 18 out). Measures would be in place to encourage more sustainable commuting where possible.
Why are lorries restricted to specific routes?
Eco2 reviewed the various routes to the plant and concluded that the proposed route (from the M180 Jn4 roundabout via A18 and B1206 through Scawby Brook) should be used to the exclusion of the alternatives. The reasoning is given below.
Access via B1206 & Scawby Brook
Advantages:
- B1206 and A18 routes of standard suitable to accommodate HGV flows with minimum operating width of 6.75-7.0m and minimum speed limit of 40mph along length of route. The high standard of the B1206 section of Scawby Brook reflects the previous designation of this route as the old alignment of the A15 trunk road;
- Route mainly operates 'with priority' between the site and the A18 / M180 roundabout complex. The only give way point on the route being the B1206 / A18 mini-roundabout junction. This will help avoid delays;
- Few frontage properties along the A18 section of route;
- Frontage properties on B1206 in Scawby Brook are generally set well back from carriageway edge, which will assist in limiting traffic impact effects;
- Good pedestrian footpath provision in Scawby Brook village - generally set back from carriageway edge by a verge layer - which will assist in reducing pedestrian interaction with passing vehicles;
- B1206 / A18 route is relatively lightly trafficked with little evidence of operating congestion. Only queues noted at mini-roundabout junction which is considered could be upgraded to a signal control junction scheme to deliver increased capacity if required;
- Few accidents recorded along the length of the route;
- Few parked vehicles recorded 'on-street' along the length of the route.
Disadvantages:
- Right turn out of site access would prove more difficult than a left turn exit - although this is balanced by a simple left turn entry to the site;
- Approximately 69 frontage properties along the length of the route - 5 of which are considered to be located close to the carriageway edge, where impacts could be more keenly felt;
- Not most direct route to M180 junction (6.6km from site centre to M180 roundabout);
- B1206 / M18 junction know to suffer from some peak hour congestion, which is predicted to worsen over time. Albeit that the Brigg REP impact on capacity at this junction would be marginal and it is considered that such congestion could be addressed by highway improvements.
Access to the West via Brigg Road & Scawby Village
Advantages:
- Most direct connection to M180 junction 4 (5.2km from site centre to M180 roundabout);
- Majority of route very lightly trafficked;
Disadvantages:
- Requires entry / exit traffic to / from the proposal site to undertake a left / right stagger at the B1206 / Site Access / Brigg Road junction - such layouts are generally discouraged for slow moving vehicles due to the potential for rear end shunt accidents;
- Brigg Road to village of Scawby is of a reduced standard - being of the order of 6.0m width. Whilst capable of catering for larger HGV's, such a route width is below suggested road widths to accommodate regular large vehicle flows;
- Section on eastern approach to Scawby village is very much of 'village' character with 6.0m route with direct frontage properties, regular side road access and limited pavement widths. We would not consider this section of route to be generally appropriate for regular HGV passage;
- 30mph 'urban' speed limit within the centre of village;
- A18 / Vicarage Lane / Scawby Road crossroads experiences busy throughflow on A18, with through movements operating at higher speeds - this reduces safe opportunities for side road access via slow moving HGV. The junction provides no 'ghost island' right turn facility for right turn vehicles to Scawby village from A18, which would lead to some block back delays on the A18 mainline.
- Approximately 42 frontage properties along the length of the route - 21 of which are considered to be located close to the carriageway edge where impacts would likely be more keenly felt;
- Some on-street parking recorded in Scawby village which would likely impact on the safe movement of larger HGV delivery vehicles.
Access to the South via B1206 & Hibaldstow
Advantages:
- Direct and reduced distance for access to straw origins to the south via ultimate connections to A15;
- Network rail have confirmed that straw HGV's would not be affected by level crossing issues (including double draw-bar style vehicles);
- Left turn exit from site is easiest manoeuvre. Right turn entry movement accommodated by section of non-standard ghost island to limit any operational impact on through movements on B1206;
- B1206 of improved standard generally suitable to accommodate HGV flows. The high standard of the B1206 section reflects the previous designation of this route as the old alignment of the A15 trunk road;
- B1206 route corridor is generally lightly trafficked with few congestion problems.
Disadvantages:
- Route provides poor connectivity to M180 and A18 access routes (12.9km from site centre to M180 roundabout) - effectively double the other options;
- Access to A15 would only be useful for a proportion of straw delivery lorries (exact level to be determined via market - albeit southern destinations would also be available to service Eco2's Sleaford facility);
- HGV movements would be required to pass through the village of Hibaldstow. The central village section of route passes through a pronounced S-bend section. 30mph 'urban' speed limit through centre of village;
- Approximately 74 frontage properties along the length of the route to A15 - 10 of which are considered to be located close the carriageway edge (assuming access to A15 via Mill Road else number of properties would increase further due to the need to pass through the additional village of Redbourne);
- North Lincolnshire Council known to have misgivings re: additional traffic through Hibaldstow as demonstrated by recent quarry refusal, which is understood to have demonstrated a significantly lower HGV flow than that proposed for the REP site.
On the basis of the above review of route options it is concluded that, on balance, the northern route corridor option via B1206 / A18 & Scawby Brook represents the most appropriate servicing route to / from the site. This route represents the highest standard route to the strategic road network, would likely result in the minimum impact on frontage properties (with most being set well back from the route) and offers opportunities for local improvements to provide overall network benefits.
It is concluded that any route option via the village of Scawby would not be appropriate due to the nature of the immediate village road network. It might be possible for some Brigg REP related vehicles to utilise a southern route option via Hibaldstow, however, this route would only be realistically available for a proportion vehicles (those from southern origins) and would not represent a practical / economic option for vehicles to east / west and north directions.
How would straw lorries be kept away from minor roads?
The nature of the industry dictates that agricultural vehicles must use minor roads to access farms. As such, there would be some use of minor roads by straw lorries. Given the large area from which straw would be sourced, vehicle numbers in any one location within the catchment area are unlikely to cause a significant nuisance. In the immediate vicinity of the plant, where vehicle numbers would be greater, Eco2 recognises the need to discourage transport through local villages and on local minor roads. We would therefore introduce routeing agreements with our hauliers that would oblige them to use particular routes that make use of major roads wherever possible.
What work has been done to assess the existing traffic network?
A full transport assessment has been done in which covered:
- a review of the local highways network
- existing traffic flows
- highways safety
- impact of additional vehicles movements
- local junctions and the impact of additional vehicles
- vehicle noise and vibration
- emissions from vehicles
The scope of this assessment was agreed in advance with North Lincolnshire Council. A summary of the assessment was given in the Environmental Statement and can be reviewed here. The full transport assessment was included as an Appendix to the Environmental Statement and can be downloaded from here.
Can the bales fall off the lorries?
No, straw movement on the vehicles that would be used to supply the plant is an established practice and it is accepted that bales can be moved securely.
How do Eco2 propose to deal with the straw littering issue?
Straw bale movements would shed some straw, as anybody who has followed a vehicle would verify. However, the actual losses from each load are very, very small and would not lead to any noticeable accumulation of straw on Lincolnshire's roads.
It must be remembered that there is nothing unusual at all about straw movements by road; this is an established practice. Nevertheless, several factors would limit the amount of litter caused by fuel for the power station:
- Bales designated for power station use are typically much more tightly packed than conventional bales and will therefore shed less straw.
- Straw loss associated with vibration (i.e., shaking loose stalks from a bale) would occur very soon after the lorry first moves. This would be typically at the field, which is also likely to be the surface that would shake the lorry the most. Losses due to vibration would be negligible by the end of the journey.
- Straw loss associated with drag (i.e. the plucking of loose stalks from the bale by air flowing past the lorry) is highest at maximum speed. Any stalks that would have been susceptible to this kind of loss are likely to have been lost well before lorries reach the roads nearest the plant.
Eco2 is certain that its deliveries will not litter local roads, for the reasons given above. However, Eco2 fully expects the planning authority to make keeping the local roads clear of litter a condition of planning and we would be happy to take on this commitment.
What size are the lorries that will be transporting straw to the plant site?
Straw will arrive on either:
- Articulated lorries
- Drawbar and trailer combinations (i.e. flat bed lorry and trailer)
What happens if the designated route to the plant is blocked?
The plant will have enough storage capacity for 3 days worth of fuel so in the event of a blockage om the chosen route the plant would be able to operate as normal. Eco2 is happy to operate under the conditions of a routing agreement, but would seek to work closely with authority responsible for policing this to ensure that in the event of a blockage, any straw delivery vehicle already in transit could use a pre-arranged alternative route. The vehicle tracking devices used could be routinely checked to ensure adherence to this agreement.
How will Eco2 ensure that traffic is confined to the designated routes?
Each delivery vehicle will be fitted with an electronic tracking device that will record the route that a particular vehicle has taken at all times. This can be reported to the authority responsible for policing the agreement on a pre-arranged basis. Any violation of the agreement will result in penalties to the haulier responsible.
How will Eco manage its impact on congestion in the local area?
Our transport assessment has shown that Brigg REP will not cause congestion on local roads. Traffic associated with the plant represents a maximum of only 4.5% of the background traffic flow, which is not significant (particularly on roads which run well below their design capacity, such as Scawby Road). Supporting calculations and figures can be examined in the full transport assessment which can be downloaded from here.
