Misleading questions from developers

It was profoundly worrying that readers of the Hinckley Times were confronted recently by a headline occupying virtually the whole of the front page trumpeting the alleged benefits which the developer, Tritax, claim will result from the proposed rail freight “interchange” on a huge area of agricultural land adjacent to Burbage common and woods.

The small paragraph of detail accompanying this headline details a major falsehood of their claims that it will reduce the amount of HGV traffic required for freight distribution.

Many months ago, at the time of Tritax’s circulating the “consultation” questionnaire, I wrote on this page to highlight the inclusion of the deliberately misleading question as to whether respondents favoured the transfer of freight transport from road to rail to reduce HGV numbers on our roads. I pointed out there would be no net reduction in HGV numbers, simply a relocation of vehicles with a concentration locally to service the onward distribution of goods from the rail yard. If proof is needed, a trip down the A5 to see the vast areas of HGV parking adjacent to the DIRFT a few miles south of Hinckley, should suffice.

I concluded my letter on that occasion with the warning enormous profits were at stake for the developers, and suggested local opposition should anticipate a ruthless campaign to push the project. If Tritax are prepared to blatantly distort the truth about the HGV traffic the terminal will generate, then we should be extremely cautious about the many other benefits they claim will ensue.