Representation by Andrew Smith
- Date submitted
- 19 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
• No market need due to other Rail Freight Terminals in the area such as East Midlands Gateway and DIRFT (x2) • DIRFT receives freight from the south and distributes to various areas including Magna Park, so putting another freight hub within the same locality does not make sense. It would make more sense being located in the West Midlands. • Magna Park is not a local service as it provides Nationally • Coventry is the same distance from DIRFT and HNRFI. • Traffic congestion in the local area is very high without the freight hub, the hub will just add extra traffic to the area. • The M69 is a D3M and would require a vast upgrade to cope with the extra traffic in the area. • The A5 and the B4109 both have low Railway bridges and these are used by HGVs at present when there are any issues on Motorways within the local area. (M6, M1, M69 & A5) The traffic builds up very quickly and the towns are gridlocked. • Junction 1 M69 / A5 roundabout – heavily congested at peak times with high volume of traffic heading to Burbage and Hinckley. • B4669 from Sapcote to Hinckley – regular queuing from the M69 roundabout into Burbage and Hinckley. • There are a high percentage of commuters using the M69 to Leicester and Coventry and this would add extra time and traffic to their commutes. • The extended closure of Narborough level crossing will severely increase congestion and add to local frustration through the villages. • HNRFI site is situated on the edge of Burbage Common and Woods. This is a Country Park and is well used locally, particularly by families. The Woods are ancient woodlands and are one of the best bluebell woods in the county. The Pandemic has particularly highlighted the need for green spaces. The buffer areas that Tritax are proposing will offer little protection from the noise and diesel fumes of the HGV’s. The link road along the edge of the common proposed by Tritax will only intensify this. • Residential areas of Hinckley, Burbage, Sapcote, Stoney Stanton, Elmesthorpe, Aston Firs and Aston Flamville are all within a close proximity to the proposed site, other sites which have been developed are not near to residential areas. There is a mobile home park and a permanent travellers’ park immediately adjacent to the HNRFI site and looks as though they will be demolished for the site. • Where would the areas be for distribution as the East Midlands seems to be well covered by DIRFT and East Midlands Gateway and a site in the West Midlands would be more suitable for a new location.