Aggregate Industries’ planning application for a cattle crossing – to facilitate a quarry at Straitgate Farm, with processing 23 miles away and up to 216 HGV movements a day – claims "betterment" for the existing infrequent and irregular livestock crossing by introducing "a new field gate" to allow perpendicular rather than diagonal crossings.
In Aggregate Industries’ alternative universe:
The proposed crossing... provides betterment to the current situation in terms of enabling a shorter traverse of the highway, effectively reducing crossing times which both the tenant farmer and road users will benefit from.
The fact that this crossing would only be needed if a quarry were permitted at Straitgate Farm – to allow the existing dairy herd to access alternative pasture to replace the 90% lost to mineral workings – or that this crossing would close the main route to Ottery and its hospital for an hour every day (4 crossings 15 minutes each) causing traffic to back up at peak times to the A30 Daisymount roundabout has all been neatly and conveniently glossed over by Aggregate Industries.
Last month, we posted that the consultation period for the cattle crossing application had been extended. At that time, East Devon District Council advised:
We have not had a response from the Highway Authority and the application won’t be determined until we have. I do not anticipate a decision being made until February or March in view of the outstanding consultations.
This week a response was provided from Devon County Highway Authority, in emails here and here, with the relevant sections below:
16 Dec 2020 Devon County Council to Aggregate Industries:
I have been consulted by EDDC on the above and whilst I think that the more direct route for cattle crossing, in itself, would be an improvement over the existing. It would be helpful to have a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit for the scheme and ask if you would be happy to provide this.
18 Dec 2020 Aggregate Industries to Devon County Council:
Apologies for my delay in replying, but have now spoken to [consultant] at Horizon Consulting Engineers regarding your request for a Stage 1 RSA which I confirm we would be happy to provide. You will recall that the Stage 1 RSA associated with our Straitgate mineral application picked up on the issue of the existing diagonal cattle crossing over the B3174 Exeter Road. Moreover, it was recommended during a meeting with you and your highway colleagues to provide betterment of the existing situation which this application seeks to do. Many thanks for your attention in this matter and we shall undertake the Stage 1 RSA as soon as practicable.
11 Feb 2021 Devon County Council to East Devon District Council:
Upon receipt and examination of said Stage 1 RSA, the CHA will be happy to make its Highway Response to the LPA. Sorry that I hadn’t informed [you] of this request earlier.
So, presumably more delays on the cards – as Aggregate Industries waits for a time that is practicable.
And is Aggregate Industries guilty of gaslighting the County highways officer? Claiming betterment for this application, the company suggests the officer recalls the initial Road Safety Audit and the word diagonal:
You will recall that the Stage 1 RSA associated with our Straitgate mineral application picked up on the issue of the existing diagonal cattle crossing over the B3174 Exeter Road.
The problem with that? The word diagonal was not raised in the referenced Stage 1 RSA – which recognised a cattle crossing "could be an additional hazard to users of the B3174" – and nor was it raised in the accompanying letter, which summarised:
If a cattle crossing is considered necessary to maintain the operation of the farm and is viable with the agreement of the Client, the detailed design of the crossing will include the necessary signage to TSRHD and follow the advice within TA 56 / 87 ‘Hazardous Cattle Crossing – Use of Flashing Amber Lights’.
Oh, how Aggregate Industries plays with words.
