Sleaford REP taking steps to reduce straw debris on Lincolnshire’s roads

Mike Harrison, Sleaford REP Communications Manager:

‘Sleaford REP has been fully operational for over six months; sourcing our fuel straw from within a 50mile radius, with a majority from within 30miles. Clearly this radius is in the middle of the largest cereal growing county in the UK and considerable movements of straw are seen on the roads of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands every day.

We are very conscious of our vehicle movements around the county and take every possible measure to reduce straw deposits, but not all of the vehicles transporting straw in the region are delivering it to Sleaford REP. Nevertheless, we do undertake a significant amount of work, as part of our good housekeeping approach, in the storage and movement of straw to reduce any loose material that may be present on bales when loaded on to vehicles. Our processes also require that all delivery vehicles are swept down following delivery to the plant to avoid any residual material being carried back out of the plant.

Sleaford REP has been proactive in recent discussions with NKDC and Lincolnshire County Council to review and look at possible future solutions to mitigate risk and potential incidents.

In response to specific concerns of straw on the roads around Sleaford, we can confirm we have moved a large volume of material from one of our storage sites off the A17 recently. This has meant that the movements have been somewhat exceptional in order to clear the storage site for the upcoming season.

We would not expect to have such a concentrated movement for next season and volumes will be moved over the 12 month annual supply period from now on.

Please be reassured that we want to be good neighbours especially as the Plant will be here for at least the next 25 years. If people do have specific concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.’