Pembrokeshire coroner voices Castle Pill wind farm fears (From Western Telegraph)

Pembrokeshire coroner voices Castle Pill wind farm fears

1:30pm Saturday 8th August 2009 in

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The county coroner fears drivers could be fatally distracted by the spinning blades of wind turbines placed near roads.

Coroner Michael Howells is calling on planners to think carefully about where future turbines are placed.

Mr Howells, based in Milford Haven, said: “Coroners are allowed to draw attention to dangers if, during the course of an inquest, facts come to light which indicate that something should be done to prevent future deaths from happening. This is, of course, a form of shutting the stable door after the horse has gone.”

Mr Howells said the turbine issue was one to which he could draw attention before an accident had happened.

The coroner added: “It is, I think, generally accepted that a driver’s attention is attracted by movement, whether that movement is on or off the road.

“I am concerned that the turning blades of wind turbines could distract drivers.”

Mr Howells used the new 76metre turbines placed between Steynton and Waterston, at Castle Pill wind farm as an example.

“Travelling to Milford from Waterston you go towards a bend which looks unremarkable but was the scene of a fatal accident recently and was also the scene of one, possibly two, injury accidents.

“All these took place before the wind turbine which can now be seen in the background came into operation.”

Mr Howells pointed out that the road is currently very busy with traffic avoiding the roadworks at the Horse and Jockey junction.

“Drivers need to be made aware that the bend is not as innocuous as it appears, especially now that they could be distracted by the movement of the blades of the generator.

“I would also urge planners to consider the sightlines towards any future wind turbines so that they do not create hazards for drivers.”