TWO drivers escaped unhurt when their cars collided on a dangerous road set to be used by 9,500 lorries supplying the new Middlewick Wind Farm. A white van and a blue Renault collided just before 8.55am at the junction of Lower Burnham Road and Rectory Lane on Tuesday last week, but no one was injured. It is the same route on which lorries delivering building materials to the new wind farm near Southminster will travel. At peak times, one lorry every four minutes could pass through.
Last month another crash occurred at the same junction forcing the road to be closed for six hours when a motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital.
Brian Beale, chairman of Southminster Parish Council, said: "It's a notorious accident blackspot with a reputation for nasty accidents. Whoever thought of that route needs to be taken away in white coats.
"There have been many accidents there over the years, I just can't believe that Essex County Council has taken that route. Why not carry on down the road and turn left at Ford's corner (Summerhill Burnham Road), whoever suggested this just doesn't know the road."
The trucks will be taking narrow rural roads carrying up to 20 tonnes of building materials, such as crushed stone or construction equipment such as mini- diggers and cranes, whilst building the nine-turbine Middlewick Wind Farm.
Kay Maudesley, a parish councillor from Southminster, said: "I know that at the very same spot a cyclist was killed not so long ago. I'm just concerned about the safety of the children crossing the road. The pavement gets narrow and children don't have the same road sense as an adult."
The route suggested by Essex County Council was discussed at a public meeting last Thursday in Southminster's memorial hall with representatives from Essex County Council and Blue Energy, who run Middlewick Wind Farm.
About 180 members of the public turned up and some expressed doubts about the route.
Martin Park, the concerned landlord at the Station Arms Public house, in Station Road, Southminster, said: "There are a number of issues surrounding the plans. The roads are not designed to take that much traffic. The parking allocation the council is talking about just doesn't make sense. There are schools nearby and the chances are that the lorries at points down the road will have to mount the curb to let others past, the pavement is small anyway. There must be another way."
Cllr Beale added: "Essex County Council planned the route. They didn't consult anyone, and they gave permission for the road to be used. I cannot believe they didn't consult us."
Essex County Council's plans for a clearway in Station Road, Southminster, would mean residents would have to park in either the Old King's Head car park or in the station car park.
An Essex County Council highways officer said: "Consultation with the public regarding the planning application for Middlewick Wind Farm would be the responsibility of the planning authority, Maldon District Council.
"Whilst Essex County Council (ECC) is not required to hold a public consultation regarding the Construction Traffic Management Plan, ECC officers were happy to attend a public meeting organised by Southminster Parish Council on June 27, to discuss the parking elements of the CTMP.
"Essex County Council understands the developer intends to consult with residents on the revised parking restriction proposals."
