Wind turbines built 6 months ago for £7MILLION yet to be switched on as they endanger planes
The Mirror|Martin Fricker|May 14, 2014
Severn Trent Water admitted its structures made radar “unreadable” for air traffic controllers at nearby East Midlands Airport. The rotation of the blades creates a ‘clutter’ effect which obscures the airspace above Derby.
Severn Trent Water admitted its structures made radar “unreadable” for air traffic controllers at nearby East Midlands Airport. The rotation of the blades creates a ‘clutter’ effect which obscures the airspace above Derby.
Two wind turbines built six months ago for £7million are yet to be switched on – because they are a danger to planes.
Severn Trent Water admitted its structures made radar “unreadable” for air traffic controllers at nearby East Midlands Airport.
The rotation of the blades creates a ‘clutter’ effect which obscures the airspace above Derby.
Bosses at the airport - six miles away - ordered the blades to remain idle because there is an immediate risk to aircraft safety.
Locals in Spondon, Derby, described the situation as “farcical”.
Terry Rogers, 55, said: “They’d be more use as washing lines.”
And Ray Mellor, 80, fumed: “The thing is they went up with such phenomenal speed. I can’t see why it has been so prolonged.
“If they are not …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Two wind turbines built six months ago for £7million are yet to be switched on – because they are a danger to planes.
Severn Trent Water admitted its structures made radar “unreadable” for air traffic controllers at nearby East Midlands Airport.
The rotation of the blades creates a ‘clutter’ effect which obscures the airspace above Derby.
Bosses at the airport - six miles away - ordered the blades to remain idle because there is an immediate risk to aircraft safety.
Locals in Spondon, Derby, described the situation as “farcical”.
Terry Rogers, 55, said: “They’d be more use as washing lines.”
And Ray Mellor, 80, fumed: “The thing is they went up with such phenomenal speed. I can’t see why it has been so prolonged.
“If they are not producing energy yet, then they have no benefit. I’m not very impressed with it and it’s not good enough.
"I also think they are hideous and spoil our views.”
The airport – the UK’s second busiest for freight – said it was working with Severn Trent to fix the glitch with updated radar technology.
A spokesman said the airport was working with Severn Trent to install updated radar technology that will “mitigate” the effect.
“Safety at East Midlands Airport is paramount and will not be compromised, which is why it is essential that the technology is in place, before the turbines can fully operate,” he added.
Water firm bosses said they aimed to do this “as soon as possible”.
The turbines will produce enough electricity for 3,000 homes.