Chartrange stays for now
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Ii • A tipper opera
tor who has been using an operating centre without authority for the past 18 months is waiting to see if its use will be legitimised following objections from the local authority and neighbouring residents.
Appearing before North Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Patrick Mulvenna at an Oldham public inquiry, Chartrange applied to base 26 vehicles and two trailers at Wharf Street, Dukinfield.
For the company, Tim Culpin said the site had previously been used as an operating centre by Connell & Finegan. Chartrange
operated stone crushing plant at the site. He maintained the operation was similar to that carried out by Connell & Finegan and said Chartrange had been operating from the site without authority for the past 18 months due to an administrative oversight. A planning application had been lodged for a new access away from the houses.
The residents complained about noise, saying it was much worse than when Connell & Finegan had been there. Evidence was given by a director of a nearby webbing manufactur
er that his firm's products were dust sensitive and he was concerned about the dust on the site.
For Tameside Borough Council, John Heaton said readings taken by environmental health officers outside the depot and inside neighbouring houses had shown that when the wagons started up early in the morning the noise increased by up to 20 decibels, which was well over the threshold of a statutory nuisance. However, the company's expert maintained the increase was no more than three decibels.
Culpin argued that Chartrange would suffer financial hardship if it could not get its vehicles on site by 0800hrs, which meant they had to leave the depot at 07:00hrs.
Mulvenna granted the company interim authority to operate, with movements restricted to 07:00-18:00hrs on weekdays, and 07:00-13:00hrs on Saturdays. He will announce his final decision in writing at a future date.