Over thirty years ago the government told farmers east of Stratford along the north side of the existing Highway 7 and 8 that they were buying land off the front of their farms for future expansion of the highway. There was no discussion and this land was taken out of agriculture. If you drive today from Stratford towards Shakespeare you will note along the north side of the highway the fenced set back stretching from the Little Lakes to the west side of Shakespeare.
In January of this year the MTO and their consultant presented plans for a new Highwsy7/8 route. They are not planning on using the land they bought thirty years ago. Instead they are proposing a four lane controlled access highway that skirts south of Shakespeare and parallels the railroad until it comes near Road 110 where it will diagonally cut through several farms before it meets with Lorne Avenue. This route will take land from the backs of several farms adjacent to the railway and the controlled access route will prohibit farm lanes and access to farm land by producers.
The plan does not state what will happen to the existing north-south concession roads that cross the highway and are vital transportation links for farm equipment to pass between land units.
The role of ABC has been to educate the consultants on the intricacies of the business of farming. We have provided them with unlimited access to the community to make sense of the implications of their plans. We have prepared numerous briefs that can be seen on our web site hwy7and8.blogspot.com to help them make better decisions when it comes to agriculture.
The new proposal takes hundreds of acres out of production, puts many livestock producers in non-compliance of the nutrient management act, and gives no indication of how critical transportation links will be maintained.
If you do your best to buy local, if you follow the 100 mile diet, if you benefit directly or indirectly from Savour Stratford, and if you enjoy the rural landscape of century owned farms and well maintained farm lands on your country jaunts please take a moment to think about what you can do to help save farm land.
The MTO is requesting comments March 25. This is our last opportunity to influence the location of the planned route for this highway.
They can be reached at:
Ms. Brenda Jamieson, P. Eng.
Consultant Project Manager
AECOM
300 Water Street
Whitby, ON L1N 9J2
Email: projectteam@7and8corridorstudy.ca
Tel: Toll Free 1-866-921-9268
Fax: (905) 668-0221
Mr. Charles Organ, C.E.T.
Ministry of Transportation
- West Region
Project Manager
Planning & Design Section
659 Exeter Road
London, ON N6E 1L3
Email: projectteam@7and8corridorstudy.ca
Tel: (519) 873-4591
Tel: Toll Free 1-866-921-9268
Fax: (519) 873-4600
From Agricultural Business Community (ABC) of Perth East, Perth South and Wilmot West
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