Timber Trucks Anger Corris Residents: 12,000 Tons Planned Through Village

Corris locals are angry about timber transport plans. Trucks will haul timber through their village, and this will happen for twelve years. Residents worry about safety and noise, and they fear damage to homes and the old bridge.

Gresham House plans to move timber. They own Ffynnon Badarn forest near Aberllefenni, and Tillhill Forestry manages the work. Transport will start this spring, with about 400 lorries carrying timber.

Wayne Colquhoun spoke at a public meeting, stating that homes open directly onto the road and there are no pavements. He fears a child could be killed and worries about the Grade II listed buildings. Capel Salem’s walls are moving because traffic rattles the road. The old bridge is also shaking, as the road was not built for heavy lorries. Colquhoun does not want anyone hurt in Corris.

Frances Chisholm, who owns Idris Stores, asked Tillhill to use another road. This route goes through Natural Resources Wales (NRW) land, and it would be less disruptive with a small cost to NRW.

Chisholm says Tillhill shifts costs onto taxpayers when a better option exists. Tillhill should pay for the road and choose a route that helps the village. She mentions long lorry stopping distances, and that reversing trucks create problems because the road also has blind spots.

Tillhill wants Gwynedd to join the Timber Transport Forum Wales, which has rerouted timber transport before. Councillor John Pughe Hughes says Gwynedd applied but thinks Gresham House wants cheap transport. He says there are other routes available.

Gresham House says they invest responsibly and know about the concerns. They want to address them by talking to people and working with councils and landowners. They seek other transport solutions and desire positive results for everyone.