The physical and economic impact of motorways on agriculture

Abstract

The results of a number of different surveys are presented in order to demonstrate the different levels at which motorway construction can influence agricultural activity. National loss of agricultural land must not be overemphasised at the expense of individual farm disturbance. Such disturbance can be measured either by estimating the psychological and administrative upset caused during and after construction or by examining the economic fortunes of the farm units involved. An important assumption throughout is that psychological upset will, where important, manifest itself in a worsened economic performance. Thus economic assessments should be given primary consideration, even though they are far more difficult to make. The results show the number and type of farms likely to be affected, why some farms suffer more than others and to what extent.