Traffic talk dominates at start of Harthill planning inquiry

Ineos is appealing to the planning inspector for permission to build a 2,800-metre exploratory well to test the shale gas for potential future fracking. 

The chemical firm’s amended traffic document adds extra passing places on the route from Bondhay Lane to the site, off Common Road.

There would also be two stop-go areas, one of 475 metres and another measuring 230 metres, where visibility is not good enough for passing places alone.

These would be controlled by banksmen after the route is cleared by an escorts vehicle ahead of the construction convoy.

Residents are concerned how much disruption will be caused, with more than 30 Ineos vehicles a day making the trip on average.

Harthill Against Fracking, Friends of the Earth and the Campaign to Protect Rural England all criticised Ineos for the lateness of the extra document. 

Rotherham Borough Council’s highways bosses said the new plan addressed traffic concerns, but its planning board rejected this idea at last week's meeting. 

The authority remains opposed to the proposals on both access and ecology grounds. 

It will begin giving its case this afternoon to the inquiry, which is expected to last for eight days. 

Protesters against the plans demonstrated outside Riverside House this morning.