Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange Scheme

Council Leader for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Councillor Stuart Bray, today took the stand at the Examination into Tritax Symmetry’s proposal for a new 662-acre rail freight terminal near Junction 2 of the M69 on the border of Hinckley and Bosworth. 

He set out with great passion his concerns over:

• Lack of meaningful community engagement and consultation on the proposals
• Impact on Burbage Common and woods which he said would have a devastating impact on the common and people’s ability to enjoy the peaceful open space it provides.
• The huge impact of the 30m high units proposed resulting in the loss of open countryside that separates our local village form the motorway, blighting the landscape forever
• The impact of the A47 link road proposed on the Green Wedge separating Hinckley/Burbage form Barwell and Earl Shilton
• Major concerns over the traffic generating gridlocking local roads at peak times and particularly on the A5
• The significant implications on the local highway network in the event of an incident on the M69
• No confidence in the delivery of the proposal sustainable transport Strategy, particularly for connecting Hinckley, Barwell and Earl Shilton employees to the development.

In conclusion, the Leader said

I see very little benefit in this scheme. There are no shortage of haulage and warehousing jobs in this part of Leicestershire and the impact of the noise, light and traffic on the surrounding towns and villages will be huge.

He also commended colleagues from the neighbouring district council, towns and parishes for their efforts in opposing the scheme and urged the Inspector to reject the scheme which he said, “would permanently blight the area”.

Chair of the HNRFI Working Group for the Borough Council, Councillor Paul Williams said:

I wholeheartedly agree with the Leader of the council. This scheme will be detrimental to the whole area, its environment and have severe implications on the transport system across the borough and beyond.