Wales Farmer 12 NEWS


Safety campaign after railcrossing crashes


By Farmer reporter


FARMERS across Wales are being urged to ‘See Track, Think Train’ when they use the 1,200 level crossings across the


country. In Wales,therehavebeen 543


incidentsatuser-workedcross- ings,the kind oftenoperated by farmers,inthe last five years, including 66 ‘near misses’. Between January 2007 and


June 2012, three people died while using levelcrossings in Wales and therehavebeen four vehicle collisions in the last 12


NFU seeks to focus on flooding


AMORE effective partnership between farmers,government and the Environment Agency is needed to help protect high value agricultural land and the food it produces from flooding. NFU council delegate for MontgomeryshireEdward Chapman told ameeting of the union’s governing bodyitwas critical thatthe Environment Agency,Welsh Government and Defraput far morefunding into maintenance budgets and that government policy re-balanced the weighting forflood defence spending to give greater consider- ation to high value farmland. “Wecontinuallyhear how


farmers arestill battling the impacts of wetland, whether that’snot being able to harvest crops or vegetables,orautumn plantings being drowned, there arehuge concerns out there,”said Mr Chapman. “Farmers aresaying quite


clearly thatthey areprepared to look after rivers and undertake additional drainage on their farm, butthey areprevented from doing so by additional regula- tions aimed at protecting habitats. “Surelywecan do both? We


need an honest dialogue and long-termcommitment to think and act differently.” Mr Chapman said newthink-


ing could include guidelines mak- ing it easier forfarmers to under- taketheir ownmaintenance and newpartnership approaches between the agency and farmers. “Wealso need to ensurethat


productive agricultural land is properly valued in terms of long- termvalue to society so thatthe benefits of protection arefairly reflected in anyflood manage- ment assessment,”headded. “Hopefullythis is the begin-


ning of adialogue with the agency thatshould lead to abet- ter environment and morepro- ductive farmland.” NFU Cymru is calling on the


newNatural Resources Bodyfor Wales to makeflood prevention its top priority when it comes into being in April.


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months at user-workedcrossings. NowNetworkRail hopes a


newcampaign will makefarmers moreaware thatthey should treat levelcrossings as they would a busy road. Tracey Young, NetworkRail


community safety manager for the Wales route,said: “Network Rail and NFU Cymru arecon- cerned about the welfareofthe agricultural professionals that use levelcrossings. “Workiscontinuing to


improverailwaysafety at level crossings,which includes modify- ing, upgrading and closing cross- ings wherepossible. NFU Cymru president Ed


Bailey said the union waskeenly awareofthe need forvigilance at levelcrossings and urged mem- bers to heed the advice. He said: “Farmers with land


either side of the railwayrely heavilyonbeing able to use level crossings and we arehappy to work with NetworkRail on this campaign and hopefully, by rais- ing awareness of the dangers at the same time as NetworkRail continues to modify and upgrade them –bearing in mind access for modern-dayfarmmachinery – we can reduce the number of inci- dents on crossings.” In October 2011, afarmer from Kidwellywas givena36-


week suspended prison sentence after atrain crashed into his trail- er,which wasoverhanging arail- wayline while he fed horses. John Watkyn-James,of Limestone Hill Farm admitted endangeringsafetyonarailway after the train struck the trailer at 75mph on January 31st, 2011. He did not phone the signal-


man forpermission to cross the Morfa main levelcrossing with his tractor and trailer despite a sign clearly stating thatusers must do so. The train wasextensively dam-


aged, butluckilyno-one was injured. Forguidance on howtouse


levelcrossings safelygotowww. networkr ail.co.uk/le ve l- crossings/types-of-level-crossing.


■ Network Rail is offering compensation packages to landowners who would like to sell the rights to their crossings. More than 600 level crossings have already been closed, with the target being 750 crossing closures by April 2014. To pursue this option, contact Network Rail’s liability negotiations manager Don Hughes on 0121 345 3354.


March 2013


See track, think train


NETWORK Rail has issued the following safety advice to farmers:


■ Always use crossing telephones where provided;


■ Follow the signaller’s instructions;


■ Always be vigilant;


■ Make sure livestock are under control;


■ Don’t rely solely on train timetables –there is always the chance of a charter or engineering train passing.


Free cover for Fferm Ffactorwinner


AS well as securing the latest Fferm Ffactor title, an Anglesey farmer has also picked up ayear of free vehicle insurance. Dilwyn Owen’s prize forwin-


ning the latest series of popular S4C showFferm Ffactor wasa newIsuzu D-Max Yukonpick- up,and FUW Insurance has now agreed to insure it forayear. “Dilwyn has made Anglesey


proud by being crowned Fferm Ffactor’sbest farmer,” said Farmers’ Union of Wales area officer Ann Harries. “We’re pleased to be associat-


ed with his achievement and sponsoring the insurance on his newIsuzu shows our support to young farmers all over Wales.” Dilwyn, a34-year-old beef and


sheep farmer and contractor,of Llanedwen, beat off stiff compe- tition from finalists Geraint Jenkins,


of Talybont,


Ceredigion, and Gethin Owen, of Betws yn Rhos, to win the Fferm Ffactor title. “On the first dayoffilming


Fferm Ffactor Ididn’t really envisage winning, butitturned out to be one of the best experi- ences ever.With the fifth series coming up I’durge anyone to go forit, it’saonce in alifetime opportunity,” Dilwyn said.


ON THE ROAD: Dilwyn Owen and FUW Anglesey area officer Ann Harries with his new Isuzu D-Max Yukon.


Fferm Ffactor producers Cwmni Da, of Caernarfon, are receiving nominations for candidates for the fifth series of Fferm Ffactor until March 31st. To enter, or to nominate afriend or relative, call the Fferm Ffactor team on 01286 685300 or visit www.s4c.co.uk/ffermffactor.


Welcome for Snowdonia police plan


FARMERS in Snowdonia have welcomed plans to appoint asergeant and police officer with special responsibil- ity foragricultureand rural areas. The newNorthWales Police Commissioner


Winston


Roddick made the announce- ment when he wasthe guest speaker at the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Meirionnydd county executive meeting. County executive officer


Huw Jones said: “Wewerepar- ticularly pleased with the announcement thattherewill be adedicated sergeant and a police officer appointed with special responsibilities foragri- cultureand rural issues. “Wefeel the job should


COMMISSIONER CALLS: Winston Roddick (far left) with FUW Meirionnydd president Dafydd T. Ellis, vice-chairman Owain Gwilym Thomas and chairman Olwen Ford.


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include collating information specific to agricultureand should also develop an expert- ise which will then be of use to other officers within the force. “Having the visible presence


of apolice officer in livestock markets will be of greatbene- fit. The SMS alert messaging (text) system has also worked very well in Meirionnydd. “Thereisanextensive data-


base of farmers using this sys- tem in Meirionnyddand it is important thatitcontinues.” Mr Jones said members were


also concerned about alack of police coverage overnight throughout the area. “Thereisaconstant need to


takeparticular notice when livestock wastransported at this time of night,”added Mr Jones. “It wasfelt thatlivestock


trailers should be stopped dur- ing these times much more oftenthaniscurrently the case.” The committee also noted


Mr Roddick’ssuggestion that therewas an opportunity for young farmers to become spe- cial constables.


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