Our initial plan was to use Cutbush Lane as the sole access route to the site. Following feedback from local residents at the public exhibitions held in November and subsequently, a number of different options to provide access to the site for the turbine components and construction traffic have been assessed. The identification of an access route has to balance a number of different variables, including: minimising disruption to traffic and people using local roads close to the site; enabling access for the turbine components which can be up to 50m in length; causing the least effect on wildlife and financial viability. The options we have considered include: solely accessing the site from the west along Cutbush Lane;solely from the east of the River Loddon via the main entrance to the Reading University Farm; and a split access from both the west and east.
On balance our current view is that a split access is the most appropriate, with access to three turbines being along Cutbush Lane and to two turbines via the main farm entrance. This option will reduce the volume of traffic using Cutbush Lane by 40%.
During February and March this year we have been collecting background information on traffic flows along the route which would be used by the construction traffic for this project, in order to establish what effect building the turbines will have on traffic using local roads. We have also been researching road traffic accident statistics near turbines, in order to identify whether there is any evidence that turbines could be a distraction to drivers.