Roads to be widened for turbine lorries

Twelve locations will be changed for lorries transporting parts to the Tirgwynt windfarm near Carno.

Sections of the main A458, the B4385 and the C2013 will be changed, with tight corners and some hedges moved.

The 12-turbine windfarm has already been given approval and is not associated with the Mid Wales Connection Project to connect seven windfarms across Mid Wales to the national energy supply near Oswestry. The plans were given the go-ahead at a meeting of Powys County Council's planning committee yesterday.

Heather Lloyd, one of the local people behind the Tirgwynt scheme, told the meeting: "The improvements will improve a number of nasty bends.

"There will be no extra abnormal loads, only what was proposed when the scheme was given permission."

Councillor Michael Williams said: "From what I have heard the local people involved have addressed all issues. All I see is a vast improvement to the roads."

Councillors voted 15 -1 in favour of giving the plans the go ahead.

The decision comes as Montgomeryshire Against Pylons welcomed an announcement by Environment Secretary Amber Rudd that onshore windfarms will no longer be given subsidies.

Jonathan Wilkinson, chairman of MAP, said: "I see this as a positive move by the government which will save money on all our energy bills and save the beautiful landscape locally which is enjoyed and appreciated by so many. I feel that we who have been campaigning so hard in Montgomeryshire are now being listened to.

"The next step which will bring a huge amount of relief and reassurance to local people will be that if, as I think is likely, the wind turbines developments in planning will not be built."

Jane Taylor, National Grid spokeswoman, said: "Currently, there is no change to our contracted position. We still have a contract in place to connect seven windfarms in Mid Wales, some of which are awaiting the decision of the public enquiry.

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