Concern over N4 plans

Dear Sir/MadamThere are many farmers who are losing sleep over the proposed N4 upgrade from Mullingar to Longford. I am writing this letter to inform people as to why farmers are concerned and hopefully you will see the need to intervene and protect our homes, farms, livelihoods and our families.* The NRA have proposed a green route that is excessively long. It twists and turns its way through the countryside and affects many farms along its path. I do not see why the NRA proposed such a winding route that is more expensive for the tax payer to build. It is difficult to emphasise the devastating consequences of splitting a person"s farm in two. Most farmers work from early in the morning to late at night to earn a living for their families. It is difficult, dangerous and time consuming to move livestock through tunnels or over bridges. I understand that this does have to happen in order to build a road but surely the NRA should build a more direct route that minimises disruption. Also, will the NRA guarantee that they will pay for any bridges or tunnels to connect farms that are split?* We feel that the NRA have not given due consideration to the quality of land they are taking. Many farmers along the proposed route are upset because if built, the green route will take their most productive land and hence put their livelihoods at risk.* It is traditional and practical that farming sons and daughters build their houses close to their parents. Grandparents play an important role in rearing their grandchildren and later in live the elderly parents are often looked after by their family living beside them. It the proposed green route is built I know of a few circumstances where the grandparents will live on one side of a potential motorway and their children and grandchildren will live on the other. Will they have to travel miles to get access to each other? Surely every effort should be made not to split up families.* I would like someone to confirm to farmers that they will be paid compensation on the day that the land is taken from them. I have heard many reports from farmers who were not paid compensation for over ten years while waiting for a road to be build even though they were not allowed to use their own land during this time.Please consider the above concerns before it is too late. It is important that the route chosen is not simply the one that costs least money to build. We must remember the livelihoods and businesses belonging to people living in these areas.Yours faithfully,Joseph MulvanneySecretary ofMultyfarnham IFA