Union meets Highlands and Islands MSP to discuss farm traffic

With the potato harvest in full swing, NFU Scotland is reminding farmers of their duty to show due care and consideration to fellow road users when on public highways.  

The Union also thanked the general public for the patience and understanding they regularly show at this busy time of the year for Scotland’s food and farming sector.

In explaining the difficult transport task faced by farmers when moving vehicles and goods on public roads, NFU Scotland has invited Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart to visit Mid Coul Farms, Dalcross on Friday 11 November at 10.00am to meet farm manager William Campbell.  Mid Coul Farms straddles a busy section of the A96 road near Inverness Airport where there are few passing places available for slow moving vehicles to pull into.

NFUS Regional Manager, Ian Wilson, who will join the MSP on his farm visit said:
“It is often difficult to remember, especially at busy times of the year, that we share the roads with others and safety is best achieved with some patience and understanding. The road traffic act places a duty on all road users to be considerate to others.

“As farm and machinery sizes have increased over the years, the impact that we, as farmers, have on other road users has increased.  However, common courtesy and ensuring all machinery is fit for the road can go a long way to ensuring safe journeys.

“That means giving consideration to pulling in and allowing faster moving traffic to pass when it is safe and legal to do so and re-joining the road safely after the queue of traffic has passed.  Finding safe places to pull over can be an issue and that is one of the reasons why we are hosting this visit next to the busy A96 where suitable lay-byes are few and far between.

“When turning off the road, farmers should also make sure that all indicators are clean and operational and can be seen and that your mirrors are clean and properly adjusted and that you use them.

“As farmers, it is worth remembering that those people following us on the road are also our customers, and a little courtesy goes a long way to reducing the frustration that can lead to accidents.

“We look forward to Mr Stewart’s visit, and giving him an insight into the issues faced by farmers when it comes to transporting their machinery and goods on modern roads.”

Speaking ahead of the visit, David Stewart MSP said:

 “I am delighted that we have been able to work with NFU Scotland on this issue.  I have been at pains over the past few months to highlight that frustration caused by drivers of slow moving vehicles who fail to pull over causes the red mist to come down over the eyes of following drivers and contributes to them making poor choices in relation to their driver behaviour thereafter.

“I am not in the business of demonising the drivers of slow moving vehicles.   What I am trying to do is encourage debate and I welcome the opportunity to educate all drivers that they need to be considerate of each other. I am obviously aware that this is a busy time for the farmer and they need to utilise the road network, but as Ian has highlighted, tractors and other farm equipment used on our roads need to be fit for such purpose.

“I hope my visit on Friday will be an opportunity for all concerned to air each others point of view and highlight relevant issues.  Hopefully, we can move forward, improve road safety and educate the motorist community at the same time.”

Notes to Editors

• Mr David Stewart MSP will be visiting Mid Coul Farms, Dalcross, near Inverness Airport.  The meeting will take place at Culblair Farm, Dalcross, IV2 7JJ on Friday, 11 October at 10.00am, courtesy of farm manager William Campbell.
• Journalists and photographers are invited to attend.  For more information, contact Ian Wilson on 07775 915 988 or Email: ian.wilson@nfus.org.uk

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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006