Huge windfarm cranes still to be recovered from Glenkens road – more than a fortnight after overturning 

One of the cranes came off the road between Carsphairn and Moniaive. (Image: Jim McEwan)

Two huge windfarm cranes have still to be recovered from a remote part of the Glenkens more than a fortnight after they overturned.

A campaign group has hit out at the “fiasco” which saw the giant vehicles go off the road on their way to the Windy Rig site between Carsphairn and Moniaive.

And locals are angry that they are unlikely to be removed any time soon, with developers Statkraft saying “careful planning” is needed to recover the cranes.

Iain Milligan, of the Save Our Hills campaign group, said: “People in Dumfries and Galloway remain are used to giant windfarms spoiling the landscape.

“Now the vehicles being used to make them are ruining the roads too.

“This crash has been a complete fiasco and just shows again why the area is unsuitable for repeated large-scale windfarm development.

“This accident happened more than a fortnight ago, yet still these giant cranes lie at the side of the road.

“Local people are furious that this has been allowed to happen.

“If the government and council were more prepared to stand up to these developers and their unacceptable planning applications, incidents like this wouldn’t happen.”

The cranes, belonging to King Lifting, were on their way to Windy Rig to help erect turbines from Vestas when they ran into trouble on February 22.

One went off the C35 Water of Ken road at the entrance to the windfarm site while the other went off the B794 near Blackmark. Security workers are guarding the lorries around the clock.

Fiona Clubb from Blackmark, who runs a hay and straw delivery business with husband Jim, said: “It is having an impact on our business as we are in and out every day.

“We deliver to farmers and horse owners across Dumfries and Galloway.

“We are caught in the middle of this. There is going to be a period of time when the road is closed but we don’t have a timescale yet.

“One of the ways they might have to do it is bring an even bigger crane in and put in a new yard.”

A spokeswoman for developers Statkraft said: “Recovery of both cranes is in progress and we are working with turbine supplier Vestas and their subcontractor King Lifting.

“This requires careful planning and liaison with organisations such as Dumfries and Galloway Council and their roads department.

“Whilst the safe recovery of the vehicles is being arranged, use of local roads has been maintained.

“Recovery of the crane near the site entrance requires some ground works and this has already commenced by our subcontractor RJ McLeod.

“These works are being overseen by an environmental clerk of works and we are ensuring the appropriate environmental measures are in place throughout.

“The roads department in Dumfries and Galloway Council are also being kept updated on this progress.

“We are working closely with Vestas and King Lifting to assist with the removal of the crane on the B729. They are currently dealing with their insurance company to resolve this.”

The spokeswoman added locals can sign up to a roads information service by texting 07542 754 642.