Community / Viking Energy acts on speed and dust concerns
WIND FARM developer Viking Energy has confirmed that a 15mph speed limit is in place for all traffic across the construction site in the central mainland of Shetland as a safety measure.
Speed tracking devices will be fitted to all HGVs over coming weeks, the company said.
Wind farm owner SSE Renewables also confirmed that the implementation of dust mitigation measures have been brought forward following comments and concerns raised by local residents.
Viking Energy spokesman Aaron Priest said safety was the company’s number one priority.
He said the 15mph speed limit also applied on the new Sandwater road and the new Kergord access track.
Priest added: “With safety in mind, VEWF’s [Viking Energy Wind Farm] principal contractor RJ McLeod, has decided to source and install tracker devices into all HGVs being used on the wind farm construction site.
“These will allow all HGVs related to wind farm construction to have their movements tracked, and for compliance with speed limits to be strictly monitored and enforced. These devices will be fitted over the next few weeks.”
Priest added that due to the prolonged period of dry weather during April the planned deployment of dust suppression equipment on the construction site has now been brought forward.
He said the mitigation measures consist of:
- a 600m perforated hose now deployed on the new Sandwater road to effectively provide a sprinkler system;
- a 250m similar arrangement on the Kergord access track;
- imminent deployment of three tractor units, with bowsers attached, which will use water to suppress dust on the wind farm tracks;
- a planned capping off of the roads on the Scallafield side of the site, over coming weeks, with a different grade of aggregate;
- and a tight speed enforcement regime across the site with tracking devices on all wind farm construction HGVs.
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