A lorryload of HGV journeys predicted for biomass plant

Developer Forth Energy said 23 heavy goods vehicles a day would travel in and out of the biomass plant, despite the majority of the wood chip coming in by ship.

The company, a joint venture between Forth Ports and Scottish and Southern Energy, is set to submit its plans to the Scottish Government after holding a series of public consultations. But local campaigners have raised concerns about the size of the plant and the amount of increased traffic it will bring.

Forth Energy said the renewable energy plant would require around two million tonnes of biomass every year, the majority of which would come in by sea from North America, Scandinavia and eastern Europe.

However, the firm said transport assessments had shown that 23 lorries and a further 23 cars would visit and leave the plant every day. Calum Wilson, managing director of Forth Energy, said: "Work we have done for our proposed plant in Dundee suggests that during operation, an estimated total of 23 fuel-related HGVs will visit and leave the plant on a daily basis, with a further 23 cars of staff members arriving and leaving. The Leith figures are likely to be similar, despite the plant being of a larger size."

He added: "These volumes are considered to be low and are unlikely to be detected within the day-to-day variation in traffic flow on the local roads."

The facility is set to produce 24,000 tonnes of ash each year, which will be removed in 20-tonne lorry loads numbering eight a day.

Forth Energy has been criticised for its plans to transport wood chip from overseas. However, the company said it would be working with the Forestry Commission to look at how supplies could be grown in Scotland.

Further details of the plant came in a letter sent to Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville.

She said: " "This letter leaves many key questions unanswered. It says nothing about community benefits or renewable heat. Furthermore, Forth Energy have ignored my call to consult directly with local residents. I am also unimpressed by what has been said in relation to the size of the plant."

Alastair Tibbitt, development manager for local campaign group Greener Leith, said:

"The number of lorries is surprisingly close to what we predicted. The Friends of Water of Leith, for example, are adamant there are too many trucks travelling through the Shore."

The city council said the developer would have to work to "minimise the effect" of the additional traffic. It added that, depending on traffic studies, it would be likely to seek cash from Forth Energy for local transport improvements.