Quarry inquiry told of ‘substandard’ junction

THE entrance to Birks Quarry

Layout and make-up of road is safety concern, says engineer

AN independent chartered civil engineer said the layout and make-up of the highway and junction near Birks Quarry was substandard in terms of safety issues.

Speaking yesterday on the second day of the Birks Quarry public inquiry, Paul Corbett, director of JMP consultants, said mud and water on the road outside the site was a much greater highway safety issue than other sites.

Mr Corbett, who was asked by Oldham Council to make an independent assessment, raised a number of road-safety issues such as junction visibility problems, substandard stopping sight distances and vehicles having to cross the carriageway to enter and exit the site.

He said mud on the road would mean reduced grip for vehicles, it would simply lie on top of rougher textured anti-skid road surfaces, and a landfill operation would result in a much greater risk of accidents at the location.

However, he admitted under cross-examination that four-wheel-drive vehicles would probably not be at risk of accidents from smaller lumps of mud.

Members of the Birks Quarry Action Group were concerned about traffic noise and vibration, and whether a badger set in the site had been disturbed.

Robert Knotts, group spokesman, said houses opposite the quarry would be subjected to the noise of lorries changing gears to get up the incline of the A62.

The retired engineer also criticised the lack of detailed measurements in the submitted noise and vibration plan, saying: “I view the document to be quite superficial and lacking in depth. Unless we have standards with measurements specified, how do we know what to measure?”

Barrister Matthew Copeland, representing Oldham Council, raised concerns about whether planned work by quarry owners Opengoal Ltd to widen the site road, install rumble strips and create a settlement pond would need council planning permission.

He said: “It’s about whether we can grant a permit which relies on a mud-management plan which itself would need to be subject to planning permission which is not yet granted.”

The inquiry was adjourned until September 29 when it will resume at 10am in Oldham Council chamber.