Fears around harvest access for Wexford grain farmers have eased following negotiations last week. Plans to close a road that would have restricted access to Doyles of Cooladine were the catalyst for an IFA-led blockade of the site headquarters two weeks ago for the €400m M11 extension.

Wexford IFA leaders met with representatives of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) – formerly the National Roads Authority – and Wexford County Council to resolve the impasse.

The new arrangements will ensure an 8m-wide bridge across the new motorway giving access to Doyles will be open for the remainder of the harvest, although it will be one-way only with lights conducting traffic.

BAM, which is the main contractor on the 27km project that bypasses Enniscorthy, was not represented at the talks.

The project is scheduled for completion next year, as is the New Ross bypass and bridge. TII are considering route options for the next section of the M11, around Oylegate and on towards Wexford town and Rosslare Europort.