Twisted & Broken Blades

On the 8th March 2007, the Western Morning News (Devon) published a report concerning an increase in noise from the Bradworthy wind farm.

After inspection the environmental department of Torridge District Council confirmed that noise levels were higher than normal. The operators of the wind farm were advised and it was believed that a twisted blade was to blame. After a follow-up inspection the council stated that "noise levels have now returned to normal."

One may wonder what "normal" is!

A report on the 14th January 2006 in the Western Morning News (Devon) described how part of a wind turbine blade weighing more than half a ton snapped off and crashed into a field during high winds at the Cold Northcott windfarm on Bodmin Moor.

Local residents were concerned as the turbines are very close to roads and footpaths, and houses aren't much further away.

Tony Wood, a member of the Den Brook Valley Action Group, which is protesting against a proposed wind farm in Devon, near Okehampton, said the accident was proof of the danger of wind turbines. He said: "The wind turbines they want to build here will be about 120 metres high, and the tip of their blades will be moving at 150mph at full speed. If something that big and that high comes off at high speed it could travel a very long way. Most wind farms are near roads, railways, or walking paths, and the dangers are obvious."