Representation by John Brown
- Date submitted
- 12 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
It is questionable whether another such terminal is actually necessary given that there are already others within fairly close proximity. There has also been a proliferation of warehousing and distribution units along the A5 corridor in recent years, with more still planned. The effect on local communities has been considerable and the effect of another major facility so close could be catastrophic. Villages such as Elmesthorpe, Sapcote and Stoney Stanton would be destroyed and the lives of their residents ruined. The impact of the proposed terminal on the local environment gives great cause for concern, with the ancient Burbage Common and Woods being badly affected. While thousands of HGVs may be taken off the roads in one area, thousands more would be put back on in and around Hinckley and Blaby, with no net benefit. It is clear that the local road infrastructure is inadequate and would not cope with the increased level of freight traffic entering and leaving the interchange. There is already considerable congestion near the M69 / M1 junction which would only be exacerbated. The proposed relief road from the interchange towards the A47 and potentially the A5 would disgorge vehicles on to already busy single carriageway roads. Expert advice is that the existing rail infrastructure is inadequate and that even if upgraded would impact badly on residents along the route. Unemployment in the area is low and it is likely that the workforce of several thousand would be recruited form outside of the locality, meaning significant additional vehicular transport and more congestion. If the workforce could be housed locally, there would be a need for a vast amount of house building, together with the provision of new schools, health services and other infrastructure in an area which is already at full stretch.