Latest news with #GerHyland
Agriland
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Agriland
Motorway access for tractors essential for farming
Access for tractors to Ireland's motorway network is essential to agriculture and road safety, according to the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors In Ireland (FCI). The association was responding to recent calls by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) to ban tractors from Ireland's motorway network. The IRHA has launched a campaign to 'highlight the dangers that tractors and slow-moving vehicles pose to other road users' on the motorway network. Ger Hyland, IRHA president, said that there are 'no good reasons to allow tractors' to use motorways, adding that currently Ireland is currently 'the only country in the EU' that permits this. FCI However the FCI has stressed the importance of maintaining tractor access to these routes for the sustainability of Irish agriculture and rural communities. Under current regulations, tractors are permitted on motorways in the Republic of Ireland provided they can achieve and maintain a minimum speed of 50 km/hr. The FCI said that this ensures that only modern, roadworthy agricultural vehicles make use of these high-speed routes. The association emphasised that tractors operating on motorways are equipped to meet these standards, ensuring safety for all road users. 'A proposed ban on motorway use for tractors would put further pressure on other kinds of roads which already have a high volume of agricultural machinery in the summer months. 'While the IRHA cites safety concerns as a rationale for the proposed ban, the FCI argues that the presence of compliant tractors on motorways does not inherently compromise road safety. 'Instead, the focus should be on enforcing existing speed and safety regulations for all vehicles to ensure a harmonious sharing of road space,' the association said. Motorways If tractor access is restricted from motorways, the FCI said this could lead to 'longer travel distances, increased fuel consumption, and higher operational costs for farmers'. 'This not only impacts the agricultural economy but also undermines environmental sustainability efforts by contributing to higher carbon emissions. 'Conversely, many motorists experience a range of the safety issues associated with lorries on Irish secondary roads. 'The size and speed of the vehicles necessitates dangerous manoeuvres from lorry operators and motorists when roads are too narrow for both vehicles to pass. 'However, similarly to tractor use of the motorway network it is a necessity for essential work to be completed and FCI calls for road users to be vigilant and safe when sharing Ireland's road network with tractors and lorries,' the association said. The FCI urged policymakers to consider 'the integral role that regulated motorway access plays in the efficiency and viability of Irish agriculture'. 'Collaborative efforts should focus on enhancing road safety through education and enforcement rather than imposing blanket restrictions that could adversely affect the farming community,' it said.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Full list of roads to close for HOURS over bank holiday weekend as Women's Mini Marathon to take place
A NUMBER of major Irish roads are set to close for hours during the Women's Mini Marathon this bank holiday weekend. The annual race is being held this Sunday, 1 June, with over 20,000 participants scheduled to take to the streets of Dublin. 5 Over 20,000 people will take to the streets of Dublin this weekend Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 5 Many roads are due to close with pedestrian access restricted too Credit: Alamy On Sunday at 12:30 pm, the charity race will start from Fitzwilliam Place and then end on Baggot Street. The run, attended by 25,000 people, stretches for 10km through the city. Due to this, there will be significant road closures and diversions over the READ MORE ON MOTORS There are different waves in place for runners to help handle the high volumes of participants. WHITE and PINK waves will enter through the junction of Pembroke Street Upper/Leeson Street Lower. BLUE will enter through the junction of Hume Street/Stephen's Green and this entrance point on Baggot Street. Other coloured waves like YELLOW and GREEN will enter through the junction of Merrion Square West/Merrion Square North and the junction of Hume Street/Stephen's Green. Most read in Motors The routes of 5 Dublin City Council released a list of all roads out of use over the weekend Credit: Dublin City Council 5 Diversions for other traffic will also be in place Credit: Dublin City Council Road closures On Saturday May 31, Herbert Street will be closed from 8 am to 7 pm the following day. Sunday June 1 from 4 am to 7 pm : Herbert Street Herbert Lane Pembroke Row Cumberland Road Fitzwilliam Street Fitzwilliam Place Fitzwilliam Square North Fitzwilliam Square South Wilton Terrace Lad Lane Baggot Street Lower As well as: James's Street East Fitzwilliam Lane Fitzwilliam Street Lower Merrion Square East Merrion Square South Mount Street Upper Stephen's Place Baggotrath Place From 8:30 am to 5 pm: Stephen's Green East Stephen's Green South Stephen's Green North Kevin Street Lower Cuffe Street Merrion Street Upper Pembroke Street Dawson Street Kildare Street From 10 am to 4 pm : Leeson Street Lower Earlsfort Terrace Hatch Street Lower From 11:30 am to 4 pm : Adelaide Road Leeson Street Upper Stillorgan Road (Fosters Avenue to Donnybrook Road) Donnybrook Road Herbert Place Nutley Lane Merrion Road (Ballsbridge to Merrion Gates) Morehampton Road Baggot Street Upper Pembroke Road Meanwhile, a It has been proposed that tractors and other "slow moving The idea has come from the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) due to safety concerns being raised. IRHA President Ger Hyland said that Ireland is "the only country in the The maximum motorway speed in Ireland is 120km/h. But tractors can be driven on the same roads as long as it can travel at or maintain a speed of 50km/h, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Hyland said that if Ireland is serious about road safety, they must ban tractors from the fast moving roads. The IRHA has claimed that many of their vehicles are getting stuck behind tractors and slow movers on the motorway. This then leads to congestion and dangerous driving in attempts to overtake. They have urged the government to work with the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) to keep tractors off the motorway. Instead, they proposed that the vehicles be kept to regional and local roads. The speed limit on regional roads is typically 80-100km/h, while on local roads it's between 50-80km/h. Hyland said that tractors "cause a build-up of traffic behind them on the motorway", adding that they can cause people to pull into another lane at the last minute to avoid them. He added: "Tractors are a regular sight on our motorways during the summer months, sometimes pulling trailers. "A family in a car driving in heavy fog on the motorway at 120km/h could come across this tractor and have very little time to react. "This is presenting a clear and present danger." 5 The road closures will also affect some bus routes Credit: Getty Images - Getty
