A call is to be made for more laybys on the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness trunk road, and other main routes, to allow slow moving traffic to pull in and let faster traffic pass.
Highland and Islands MSP David Stewart is to write to Transport Minister Keith Brown on the issue after a visit yesterday to Mid Coul Farms at Dalcross, near Inverness, where he saw for himself the problems tractor drivers face when travelling on the trunk road network.
Mr Stewart said he was appalled to hear of the abuse they suffer from other motorists who get annoyed at being stuck behind slow-moving agricultural machinery, especially now when the tattie harvest is at its peak.
He said laybys were a justifiable expense and would improve road safety, as frustration was one of the main causes of accidents.
Mr Stewart joined Mid Coul farm manager William Campbell aboard a tractor as he travelled along the A96 near Dalcross.
He said afterwards that there was a distinct lack of areas for tractors and other slow-moving vehicles to pull in to let faster vehicles pass by.
Mr Stewart said he was disappointed to learn about the abuse.
“It’s crazy that they are having to put up with these abusive signals,” he added. “That’s quite shocking and a bit immature. Tractors have to get from A to B and on occasions they have to go on trunks roads to do that.
“There’s a lack of understanding from other motorists,” he added.
Mr Stewart said farmers were legitimate users of the roads as part of their job producing food for the nation.
NFU Highland regional manager Ian Wilson acknowledged farmers could cause hold ups, but said patience and understanding needed to be displayed by all sides. Tractor drivers had to recognise their role in stopping when they can. Other motorists had to appreciate the difficulties tractors had in pulling in when often there was nowhere for them to do so.
Mr Wilson added: “There are some drivers who keep going with hundreds of vehicles behind them, but others do try and pull over as quickly as they can. We hope today’s event will raise awareness on all sides.”
Farming, Page 13