Pledge over construction traffic on Fife roads for new incinerator development

Tom Kinnaird, chairman of Benarty Community Council, had expressed concerns that heavy vehicles would damage the roads around Benarty en route to the development site at Westfield.

Work has begun on a 22 Mw energy-from-waste plant, to be operated by Brockwell Energy, after planning permission was approved last year.

In a letter to the Cowdenbeath Area Committee, Mr Kinnaird said he was concerned lorries would use the D19 Hill Road for access, disrupting locals.

"I anticipate a significant increase of the use of Hill Road when the convoys of lorries begin running in and out of Westfield, and the present condition of

the road is extremely poor," he wrote.

"Can Benarty look forward to an improvement to our local roads network in compensation for the additional traffic we will be forced to endure as a result

of the plant operations at Westfield?"

However, Chris Smith, case officer for Westfield, said this would not be necessary as construction traffic is to access the site from the north, using roads from the Perth and Kinross council area stemming from the M90 motorway.

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He also denied a claim by Mr Kinnaird that Fife Council had "compensated" Perth and Kinross for the use of its roads. Instead, a £100,000 "maintenance bond" from the developer was being held by the council as a bond for any future road repairs required by the neighbouring authority.

"The developer had to provide a route plan showing the ways the vehicles would be coming in and out," he said.

"They are intending to run in from the motorway, avoiding settlements in Fife and Perth and Kinross and using no roads here.

"If their routes were coming through Fife, we would reassess if any contributions would be required."

He added: "It's important to advise that a considerable payment wasn't made by Fife Council to Perth and Kinross.

"The developer has provided the money as a bond. Once the energy-from-waste plant is operational the subsequent damage to the roads Perth and Kinross can come to us for a drawdown to make the necessary repairs."

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