Controvesial quarry lorry numbers through Midhurst doubled

Inert Recycling had permission for a maximum of 42 two way lorry movements a day and was refused permission to increase this to 100 two way movements before Christmas.

But a new plan for 220 lorries (440 two way movements) a week has been granted by the South Downs National Park Authority.

Inert said it planned an average of 44 lorries (88 two ways) and did not make any maximum proposals. But in a delegated decision by park officers they have proposed a maximum of 100 movements a day ‘to ensure effective monitoring could be undertaken.’

The subject of quarry lorries has divided West Lavington Parish Council and Midhurst Town Council .

The parish council said many villagers felt it was worth putting up with significantly increased lorries to get the quarry infilled more quickly.

But Midhurst town councillors objected because they felt the lorries were damaging the town’s roads and increasing noise and dust pollution.

They made strong objections to the previous plan which was refused and stuck to their guns over the new 440 movement proposal.

They claimed the needs of the wider area should come before the minority of villagers at West Lavington.

Objecting Midhurst Society said: “The number of Inert lorries travelling through the town already exceed the number given permission. To increase the number to 220 per week will cause even greater damage to the roads, cause further pollution -air and noise - and traffic hold ups particularly through the summer months.”

And West Lavington villager Heather Collingwood said despite what parish councillors said, around half residents were not in favour of increased lorry movements.

She said Inert ‘consistently flouted’ numbers allowed last year.

Midhurst town councillors want the new lorry numbers ‘rigorously monitored’.

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