M11 upgrade puts brakes on farmers

September 2009

WHILE many are hailing the upgrade of sections of the N11 to motorway status, local farmers are furious now that agricultural machinery must take an alternative route.

The changes which came into effect on August 28 means farm vehicles travelling under 50km/h must revert to going through town centres as they did in the past.

Co Wicklow IFA Chairman James Hill says the move is unacceptable and that local farmers are seeking an exemption to avoid blocking up main streets.

Mr Hill told The Wicklow People this week that the concerns of farmers were raised with the NRA were totally ignored and that the consequences have not been fully considered.

‘We did express our concerns to the NRA previous to the decision as an interested group but our concerns were ignored. We feel the decision was already made and that the consultation process was merely entered into as a legal requirement,’ he said.

With large farming machinery unable to travel along the M11 as of last Friday, the changes will now see small towns blocked up with them as they have no alternative route.

‘Arklow will be one of the worst affected areas, as will Rathnew. We are talking about large tractors and combine harvesters as well as livestock containers negotiating narrow crowded streets. Also the addition of speed ramps in many towns will not help. The junction of Main Street, Arklow and Bridge Street is a prime example. The traffic will be backed up through the whole town while machinery takes that turn. This leaves everyone in a very difficult position’ said Mr Hill.