Lamma show hit by traffic problems
Traffic problems slowed farmers’ entry to the opening day of the Lamma show at the Newark and Nottinghamshire showground.
Farmers reported long queues on some of the approaches, particularly on the A46 from the north.
Stuck in slow moving traffic, a number of farmers took to twitter to express their frustration.
“Chaos on the roads, traffic at a standstill, taken 2 hours so far to do a 22 mile journey, still not there!,” wrote one.
Another said: “Traffic awful for #lamma13. Been sat on A46 for last 2 hours – still 4 miles away! Hmmm”
Local papers reported that the show had caused “traffic chaos” with over 30,000 people trying to get to the show. Accidents on the A1 and A46 also added to the difficulties.
One farmer told Farmers Weekly that the traffic meant it had taken him longer to travel from his home to Lamma, than it had to the Agritechnica show in Germany.
In a bid to ease travel problems Lamma organisers have laid on an hourly free shuttle bus from both Newark Northgate and Newark Castle Stations.
They also moved the entrances under the directions of the Highways Agency.
Responding to criticisms of the new arrangements, a spokesperson apologised for anyone delayed on the roads.
The changed transport system was imposed on the operations team by the Highways Agency, said a tweet.
The plan was to adjust it slightly for the second day (Thursday) in order to ease congestion.
One of the reasons for moving the show from its existing site to Peterborough next year was in order to solve some of the traffic issues, the spokesperson added.
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