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Transport

Transport and traffic impact around wind farm developments is a key issue for people not only for people living close to sites but for towns and villages nearby.

Truck carrying turbine blade

The Scottish Borders Local Development Plan and Scottish Government planning policy (NPF4) requires impacts of the construction of wind farms on public and trunk roads are to be taken into account. 

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The construction of access roads, intensity of traffic around a site and the presence of abnormal loads such as turbine blades are frequently raised.

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BBC story

How do giant turbines travel on rural roads?

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Moment giant wind turbine blade carried through Hawick.

By Giancarlo Rinaldi South Scotland reporter  -  Published 31 March 2024.

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They have become a familiar and striking sight on the Scottish Borders landscape over the past few months.  Giant turbine blades are being slowly transported through the region to the Pines Burn wind farm about five miles (8km) south of Hawick.

 

In order to shorten the length of the load, special blade lifters are used for the final stretch of their journey from St Boswells to the construction site.  However, their voyage has hit a string of problems as they tackle rural roads and the vagaries of the Scottish winter.

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The tipped up turbines have become a familiar sight in the Scottish Borders this winter. The 65m (210ft) turbine blades land in Scotland at Rosyth and make the first part of their journey by more standard carriers.

They then switch to the lifters which tilt them at an angle in order to cope with the roads which lie ahead. Energiekontor, which is behind the scheme, has a dedicated website in place and Facebook page to warn residents about the movements.

Nonetheless, their slow progress - and sometimes no progress at all - has caused frustration with many people in the area. It has not always gone smoothly since deliveries started in November.

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Borders Wind Farm Watch is a cross-community initiative which  monitors wind farm development in the Scottish Borders.
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