Representation by Martin John Farnsworth
- Date submitted
- 21 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Why is there a requirement for another distribution complex ? There are already 12 existing or planned warehouse and freight facilities within close proximity: the Amazon and DHL distribution complexes on the A5 at Hinckley, Northampton Gateway, Wellingborough, DIRFT, Coventry (air freight), Hams Hall (air freight access), East Midlands Gateway, Magna Park (which is expanding Northwards towards this proposed site), Birch Coppice, Landor Street Birmingham, West Midlands Interchange. The numbers of HGV movements per day compared to train movements per day corroborates that there is very little weight given to rail freight and this project is going to be mostly HGV distribution and warehousing. Local road infrastructure will not be able to cope with the extra traffic during the proposed construction period of ten years. No plans or mitigation has been provided surrounding this. The noise, traffic, waste removal, air quality, vibration, etc dust and debris left on the surrounding roads will be appalling. The site is proposed to operate 24/7. The noise from vehicular traffic, trains, loading and unloading operations will be heard throughout all the surrounding villages. The M69, which the project is proposing to access, is a secondary highway. A link road between the M6 and M1. The infrastructure was not designed to handle another 9,000 HGV movements per day. At peak times, the M69 has a daily traffic tail back of approximately one mile from its junction with the M1. Burbage Wood and Aston Firs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSl). The Nature Reserve and SSSI combined, is a Site of National importance in terms of ecology, habitat and species. The South Leicestershire train line is not electrified with all trains that use it being diesel powered. The extra trains that are proposed will all add to local atmospheric pollution. Level crossing capacity at Narborough. There will be an increase in barrier down times with the resultant effect on traffic congestion. Staff parking off site. There is a risk of staff parking in the nearby residential streets and using pedestrian accesses to the RFI site in order to avoid peak traffic at shift changeovers.