Silica Sand Excavation Proposals

(28-Sep-2016)

Norfolk County Council (NCC) has published plans for searching for silica sand (with the intention of later excavating promising sites) in and around Bilney Woods. Silica sand is known to exist there.

This obviously concerns people in the western part of Bilney, and excavation will also have serious consequences for East Winch and Middleton people living along the A47. This is because NCC proposes to convey the sand by lorry down Common Road, onto the A47 through East Winch and Middleton and up to the Hospital roundabout and the Gayton Rd. The volume of traffic created, though only for a few years, will be totally unacceptable.

There is a consultation going on until 27th October. The document is entitled "Pre submission Addendum: Modifications”. It can be inspected at the library and Borough Council offices, and on the NCC website on the silica sand webpage.  Click on “More about Silica sand review” and then click on the link to the Modifications document. The paragraph about the roads to be used is on page 14.

NCC must rethink its plans for conveying the sand, and this is your chance to make them do so. Please respond to the consultation before 27th October!

Nell Steele