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Residents' petition fails

28th February 1991
Page 19
Page 19, 28th February 1991 — Residents' petition fails
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• A haulier which carries urgent medical supplies for Boots the Chemist has had its licence renewed for an increased number of vehicles and trailers, despite protests from residents.

William West & Sons (Ilkeston) applied to North Western Licensing Authority Martin Albu for an increase from 14 vehicles and trailers to 16 vehicles and 20 trailers at its Heywood depot.

The bid attracted a 16signature petition from local residents.

Jonathan Lawton, for William West, said that as it delivered nationwide there were never more than about five vehicles leaving the operating centre daily. However, the movement of urgent medical supplies meant that night work was essential. Lawton said that the petition referred to nuisance from fumes, and he argued that was not referred to in the environmental regulations.

Rejecting that argument, Albu said that fumes were an effect which could be felt from an operating centre.

Local resident Robert Mills said that when the vehicles were first started up in the morning it was "like a fog". He could not open the back windows of his house because of the fumes which he could smell in the kitchen.

The company's chief executive, Martin Major, said that the additional vehicles would increase flexibility, allowing it to give a better customer service.

He believed there was un likely to be any actual increase in the number of vehicle movements out of the depot, and there would certainly be no extra night movements.

Drivers were instructed to minimise the impact of the vehicles on the residents. In future vehicles and trailers would be parked in the corner furthest away from the row of houses in question, said Major.

Albu said that he regarded that as an undertaking. He said he had considerable sympathy with the representors, but the company had made an effort to deal with the problem of fumes by altering its parking arrangements. However, he could not see a solution to the problem of noise at night, as night movements were essential to the company's business.


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