Route options for Fullabrook still being considered

By ksmith

TWO possible routes into North Devon are being investigated by the energy firm behind the Fullabrook wind farm.

Work on the site is due to begin at the start of 2010 and the farm should be fully operational by the end of the year.

The 22 turbines will be 110m (360ft) tall and, according to Devon Wind Power, the machines will produce more than 40% of Devon's renewable energy target (151 megawatts).

Two possible routes for the turbines to get to the site were identified in the environmental statement that accompanied Devon Wind Power's planning application.

The first route will use the A361/A399/A3123 via Blackmoor Gate. This requires alteration of a bridge parapet on the A399 and a temporary track for the turbines to avoid a sharp corner at Berry Down Cross on the A3123.

Access to the site is via the unclassified road at the junction of the A3123 at Hore Down Gate where widening of the junction is required. Various minor improvements are then planned along this unclassified route with passing places and minor widening.

Devon Wind Power said it undertook a "dummy run" of this route for the public inquiry.

The second route is to use the A361, crossing the River Taw at the new bypass bridge to the west of Barnstaple then proceeding through Braunton to the junction with the A3123 at Mullacott.

Improvements needed on this route include the widening of the junction at Hore Down Gate and minor improvements on the unclassified route to the site.

Final decisions about which route will be used will only be taken once the turbine supplier has been chosen because it will be the turbine supplier's responsibility to deliver the materials to the site.

It is thought that the turbines will be transported during off-peak periods — late at night or early in the morning — to avoid traffic congestion.

The earliest the turbine parts are likely to be transported to the site is April 2010 and infrastructure works on the site and highway improvements need to start about three months before.