Page 12. Farming Express
M4 ‘smart motorway’ safety concerns raised
Safety concerns have been raised over
proposals to turn part of the M4 into a
“smart motorway”.
About 32 miles (51km) between London and
Theale, Berkshire, would be widened in both
directions to four lanes, using the hard shoulder.
Some motorists and the RAC have said the lack
of a hard shoulder would leave motorists in a
vulnerable position if there was a breakdown.
The Highways Agency said there would be
refuges for broken down vehicles.
Senior project manager Andrew Hitch said
converting the hard shoulder into a lane would
also discourage motorists from stopping for
non-emergencies, such as to answer their
phones. Smart motorways also use a range
of new technology, including electronic signs,
to vary speed limits in response to driving
conditions. They are managed and monitored by
the Highways Agency’s regional control centres
using CCTV. Steve Bowles, who regularly uses
the M4 for his haulage business, described the
lack of a hard shoulder as “scary”.
“I want to deliver the cargo safely. I don’t want
to deliver it in a dangerous way on a dangerous
motorway,” he said.
Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the
permanent use of the hard shoulder as a running
lane would put lives at risk. “The chances of
being able to get into a refuge area are reduced
because of the spacing between them, which is
up to 2.5km,” he said.
Similar schemes already operate on stretches of
the M25 and M1.The proposals, which went
on public display earlier at Reading’s Madejski
Stadium, include upgrading or replacing 11
overbridges and five underbridges as part of the
£700m project.
Free solar event for farmers
and landowners
FARMERS are being invited to attend
a free seminar to learn about the most
up-to-date risks versus rewards of
solar installations.
Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Savills and
Saffery Champness Accountants will
be speaking at an evening seminar
in the Hampshire Court Hotel in
Basingstoke on the November 18.
Topics covered will include Clarke
Willmott speaking abo ut the affects on
a landowner’s agricultural status and
tips on negotiating options and leases.
Savills will be discussing the
development process, its hurdles
and best practice, including tips on
comparing development firms and
understanding exactly what is ‘a good
deal’.
Saffery Champness will be
covering selling and leasing versus
self-development, including
considering the risks and rewards and
financial implications, plus looking at
funding options available, and how to
maximise the chances of obtaining it.
The event will also include a live
case study by Andrew Dyke from
Pineapple Farm and Business Park
who invested in Solar PV on his
family farm.
Mr Dyke said: “Solar installations can
be an important way of a enabling a
farmer to diversify his income to help
stay in business whilst allowing land
to be multi-functional - producing
food and electricity.
“I’d encourage people to a step back
and understand that solar farms
create investment, employment,
reduce reliance on overseas fossil
fuel imports, plus make a substantial
contribution to the protection of
countryside biodiversity, such as bees
and wildflowers.
Coming soon after Government
announcements of funding cuts,
together with the continuation
of confusion and unease among
landowners interested in investing in
solar installations, this event aims to
tackle topics and questions head on,
create clarity and promote confidence.
For full details and booking contact
Martha Harley atMartha.harley@
clarkewillmott.com call 0845
209 1759 or click here for more
information.