Environmental issues

Traffic and transport

A detailed Transport Assessment has been carried out. Approximately 56 daily HGV trips will take place on weekdays. Waste will be delivered or ash will be taken away between 7am and 6pm weekdays and on Saturdays between 7.30am and 1.30pm. The majority of the vehicles will access the site from the east via the A320 and M25. About 1 in 10 lorries, all refuse collection vehicles from the local area, will arrive at the plant via Kitsmead Lane to the north. A slip-road from the M3 has been rejected by the Highways Agency. The Transport Assessment indicated that there will be no significant impact on locations such as the Kitsmead/A386 junction, Holloway Hill or the Green Lane roundabouts. A safety scheme is proposed at the junction of Kitsmead Lane and the B386. This will include additional signage, coloured high-friction surfacing and a pedestrian crossing.

Proposed non local HGV routes to the Trumps Farm EfW facility

A Green Travel Plan will promote car sharing between staff to help reduce car use.

The nearest rail line runs on the opposite side of the M3 and the traffic assessment has concluded that a direct line to the site, either over or under the motorway, is economically and environmentally unfeasible.

No public rights of way will be affected by the proposals.

Noise and vibration

The building will be designed to keep noise to a minimum by containing as much of the activity as possible within the building and by using the quietest equipment. Other sound reduction measures include double skin acoustic doors, concrete bunds around the steam turbine and double skin sheeting to the flue gas treatment area.

The noise levels will remain within appropriate national guidelines during construction and will generally be less than that which already exists in the area. There will be some noise generated from piling works but this will be short term and within normal working hours.

Site Conditions

The site's previous use as a highways depot and landfill site has reduced the quality of the land but it does not pose an unacceptable risk to future site workers and visitors.