Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
residents. In addition, the increased traffic on the road network may also result in temporary air
pollution. These effects are described in greater detail in Chapter 8. Noise and Chapter 6.
Climate Change and Other Atmospheric Emissions. The other environmental effects are not
deemed significant to the construction, operation, or de-commissioning phases of the proposed
wind energy development.
7.4.20 The presence of increased numbers of heavy goods vehicles also has the potential to cause
some localised air pollution, due to exhaust emissions. However, based on the construction
period it would not produce long term pollution and any effects would be temporary in nature, as
any emission would naturally disperse.
Potential Operational Effects
7.4.21 During the operational phase of the proposed wind energy development, only very low levels of
traffic associated with operation and maintenance would be generated.
7.4.22 Turbines are generally serviced twice a year. A major service is carried out once a year and a
minor one six months later. The major service would usually take one day per turbine, whereas
the minor would take approximately half a day per turbine.
7.4.23 If circumstances should arise where it becomes necessary to replace wind turbine components,
agreement would be sought with the local roads authority over the routing and timing of vehicles
movements.
7.4.24 Effects of operational traffic are considered to be insignificant due to the low number of vehicles
involved.
Potential De-commissioning Effects
7.4.25 Prior to de-commissioning, a further traffic impact assessment would be carried out and
appropriate mitigation measures agreed with the local roads authority. However it should be
noted that it is likely that traffic movements associated with de-commissioning would be fewer
than those occurring during construction. In particular, it is unlikely that all of the imported
material brought to the site during the construction stage would be removed during decommissioning.
7.4.26 With regards to turbine component removal this may or may not generate a number of abnormal
loads during de-commissioning. However, it is expected that the number of loads would be
equivalent or lower than the number of movements generated during the construction period.
7.5 Cumulative Effects
7.5.1 RPS has examined cumulative impacts relating to construction traffic increases associated with
the possible construction of other wind energy developments in the region.
November 2010 Chapter 7 Page 10
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