Representation by Laura Read
- Date submitted
- 11 May 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to register so that I can object to the proposals. I question the need for the HNRFI in this particular area, where already there are a great number of warehouses across Leicestershire and Warwickshire, including dozens of large warehouses and new or extended business parks that have been built in the last few years or are currently being built; for example, in several locations along the A5 from Hinckley to the M1. There are already rail freight interchanges in the nearby area, such as Rugby, and I don’t understand why these could not just be extended and/or expanded. Why is there a need for the HNRFI, which would put additional stress on an already busy location and busy roads? If it is found that there are valid business reasons for the HNRFI to be built, then I would question why it needs to be so large in size. I don’t know whether this proposal considered assessing the existing volume of traffic in Warwickshire and Leicestershire, and emission levels, especially on the major roads where the traffic from the HNRFI would filter. The roads in many areas of Warwickshire and Leicestershire, including the A5, A47, M69, M1 and M6, frequently see heavy congestion, and often major accidents occur that close the roads entirely, which then usually cause additional accidents on nearby roads when vehicles follow diversions. With the additional large volume of traffic from lorries, vans and cars going to and from the HNRFI site, I’m surprised that the proposals do not include any new roads (not just link roads) that could manage the extra traffic. The proposals only state that all vehicles will filter onto the already busy roads, which would create even larger queues and more frustration for workers, local residents and anyone driving in or through nearby areas. My husband and I fortunately can now work from home; in the past we have chosen not to take jobs where we would commute to work during standard hours because of the sheer volume of traffic during rush hour in the mornings and evenings and the resulting stress and additional time this would keep us from our family. We would move out of the area if this project went ahead because it would become impossible to travel anywhere within or outside of Hinckley very quickly at all, and we would be concerned about the environmental impact of the HNRFI, particularly emissions from the extra traffic.