Safety issues on Wexford’s rural roads?

By Dan Walsh

It has been an underwhelming year from a weather viewpoint, however, as we connect with September this weekend has experienced a fine spell with good temperatures and the farming community is working every hour it can to save the harvest and bring the crops in safely.

From my travelling experience today (Saturday) in the Gorey and Enniscorthy areas the harvesters are full throttle in the fields and the trailer loads of grain are being rushed to the depots. This activity will continue overnight and for the next few days, so the message for road users is to be alert and patient and be ready for busy back roads used by heavy machinery. Normality will be resumed in a few days, but it is weather dependent.

Meanwhile, North Wexford-based Cllr Joe Sullivan has been in contact with WexfordLocal.com regards some other rural matters. Cllr Sullivan says; “It has been brought to my attention recently by the school transport and agricultural sectors that our secondary and local roads have become difficult to drive due to overhanging branches and the growth of vegetation on the roadside verges. As a rural dweller I am acutely aware of this issue. The problem is at its worst at this time of year due to the return of children to school which puts extra cars and buses on these roads along with the harvest which puts a great number of heavy goods vehicles and lorries on roads that just about have capacity for them.

“I would appeal to the roads section of Wexford County Council to engage meaningfully with roadside landowners to address this problem and have it dealt with as a road safety issue. By meaningful engagement I don’t mean to prosecute or threaten landowners but to perhaps outline to them the dangers of not attending to their responsibility under the various legislation around this issue.

Cllr Sullivan continued; “Indeed some type of incentive could be considered perhaps a reimbursement of a small percentage of the cost of the work provided the work is done prior to a specified date and the necessary proofs are in place. I would consider this money well spent as it would have the effect of improving road safety and with the spiralling road fatalities situation we have at the moment everything should be considered. I would therefore call on Wexford County Council to become more proactive in relation to this issue.”