Roundabout on A41 should be 'essential' to quarry plans

Almost 100 people turned out to a meeting to discuss plans that have been put forward for a quarry on the outskirts of Sheriffhales.

The meeting, organised by the parish council, was to gather public opinion around the scheme, before it makes its formal submission to Shropshire Council.

About 200,000 tonnes of sand and gravel would be extracted from the planned quarry at Woodcote Wood, Weston Heath, each year – but residents say an entrance off the A41 would increase the risk of accidents.

Planning permission for the quarry at the Woodcote Wood site was granted in 2006, however a formal decision was not issued due to an agreement on conditions not being completed.

The site has now been leased by a new operator, Atherstone-based company NRS, which has submitted a new planning application to Shropshire Council.

Access was originally proposed off the B4379 but, due to a land issues, NRS wants to change this so vehicles access the site off the A41.

At the meeting, residents were told that the expected life span of the quarry is 13 years, and it would see 17 HGV movements per day.

Councillor Kevin Turley, Shropshire Council ward member for the area, said that the initial plans had proposed a roundabout to provide access to the site.

But revised plans had said that was not “viable” and that a T-junction had instead been put forward.

People at the meeting said that they felt that would be dangerous and said that a roundabout was “essential” for the safety of other vehicles travelling on the 60mph road.

Councillor Turley said: “In the original proposals it was put in to mitigate speeds on the A41, a T-junction won’t mitigate anything.”

Resident, and parish councillor Gordon Tonkinson said that in the past 25 to 30 years there have been 20 fatalities on that stretch of the A41, which already sees 15,000 to 17,000 vehicles per day.

He said: “I don’t know why a roundabout that was essential 12 years ago is now not being put forward.

“It is scandalous in road safety terms.”

Residents also raised concerns about whether lorries would be able to travel through the village of Sheriffhales, calling for measures to ensure that they will not.

The parish council will meet again on Thursday, where it will decide its formal response to the plans.

People who attended the meeting were asked to fill in a form showing their objection or support for the plans, and give some comments which will help with the final decision by the parish council.

Speaking after the meeting, parish council chairman, Councillor Alan Macwhannel, said: “We are delighted to have had almost 100 people turn up in Sheriffhales Village Hall to discuss proposals for the development on Woodcote Wood.

“Many people raised concerns about the impact of the quarry on the already very dangerous A41 and the environmental impact on the locality.

“From this meeting, the parish council will have further discussions with Shropshire Council about the issues raised and will hope to come to a formal decision when we meet next week.”

The proposals will go before Shropshire Council’s south planning committee on October 24.