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VILLAGERS fear roads and bridges will crumble when lorries begin hauling tonnes of grain from a new barn.

The Vale of White Horse District Council approved plans submitted by the Cottrell farming family for a 1,700-tonne grain barn at Priors Court Farm, Denchworth Road, on the outskirts of West Hanney, last month.

But the residents in East and West Hanney have voiced concerns about the local roads, which they said would be damaged by heavy goods vehicles trundling past their homes.

Kay Sayers, chairman of West Hanney Parish Council, believed the number of lorries could be up to 300 per year. She said: "There is considerable concern in the village. Most of the roads through the Hanneys are very narrow or twisting without lighting and in places without pavements.

"Some of the roads are so narrow that is is not possible for two private cars to pass easily. HGVs and tractors virtually fill the carriageway. The roads are in a poor state of repair and edges crumbling. More HGVs will worsen their condition. Pavement edges are regularly being damaged by large vehicles."

John Hedderley, of East Hanney Parish Council, said: "It is a concern because there is a bridge at Dandridges Mill, which is narrow with a sharp bend and the parapet has been damaged by big vehicles reversing into it."

He said the stone parapet on the bridge had been replaced several times after large vehicles had been forced to reverse.

Parishioners in the neighbouring village of Charney Bassett also fear lorries could be re-routed past their homes if the route through the Hanneys proved problematical.

Peter Davies, the parish clerk, said: "Charney Bassett Parish Council wishes to be consulted over the negotiations of the routing agreement to ensure its concerns at the environmental damage, which a significant increase in HGV traffic would cause to the village and its bridges, are addressed."

Henry Venners, of JPPC chartered planning consultants, said about 57 HGVs a year would transport grain from the purpose-built storage facility. Each lorry would weigh about 30 tonnes when full and was expected to travel from the barn through East and West Hanney to reach the A338.

Collections would take place throughout the year, but the timings would depend on price and market demand.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said: "Oxfordshire County Council is very much aware of concerns over lorry movements through East and West Hanney and we appreciate the genuine points being made. In rural environments all over Britain agricultural work has to be carried out and large vehicles have to access farm buildings.

"Most country roads were not designed to carry such vehicles and structural damage and resulting repair works are unfortunately a reality."

12:17pm Monday 12th May 2008

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