Tungsten West plc said it would reduce proposed HGV movements per day by a third following public opposition to aspects of its plans to restart Hemerdon tin-tungsten mine in Devon.
ORIGINAL PLANS
In July 2021, Tungsten West received permission for a temporary increase of up to 150 transport movements per day from the mine site to allow its aggregates business, Aggregates West, to grow.
The original plans wanted to make the temporary arrangements of 150 HGV exports per day permanent for two years.
Tungsten West aimed to increase exports by 50 per day in subsequent years to reach 200 per day in 2024, 250 per day in 2025, and 300 per day in 2026.
The plans also included maintaining current transportation times from the site from Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) and on Saturdays (8am to 2pm) with no distribution on Sundays.
CONCERNS
Tungsten West said that a two-week public consultation in March 2022 attracted some 400 people and 396 completed online surveys.
The three main concerns included the route of the HGVs (70.6%), traffic flow and congestion (63.6%) and road safety (48.3%).
The company said it would decrease the maximum number of HGV exports per day from the originally planned 300 to 200.
Tungsten West will also halve the number of working Saturdays from every week to two Saturdays per month.
Vehicles distributing Aggregates West products can transport to and from the site from Monday to Friday between 6am and 6pm and on designated Saturdays between 8am and 2pm, with no distribution on Sundays.
ROAD ACCESS
The company also plans to widen specific sections of the B3417 where the road is too narrow to allow vehicles passing in opposite directions.
Tungsten West will submit its revised planning application to Devon County Council this week and will be available for public comment.
TRUST
Managing director James Macfarlane said that the company wanted to be a good neighbour and work with the surrounding communities to minimise the impact of the mine on their lives.
“We want to become an integral part of the community and we know it will take time to build trust – we are absolutely prepared to put in the effort.
“Hopefully this proves to our neighbours that we are prepared to listen and act on what they tell us.”