High-Speed Rail Development Concerns: The Plight of Farmers in Sannio

The 'High-Speed' is more than fine: it is a reason for satisfaction to see how mobility in Sannio is enriched by an essential infrastructure for its development. However, it must also be considered that there are needs no less priority than the strengthening of the railway network to respect, which concern the possibility of moving farmers, seriously compromised by the ongoing works. Measures must be adopted to reduce the inconveniences to the minimum possible, which are translating into a diseconomy for too many agricultural entrepreneurs. Coldiretti raises the alarm with Libero Petraccaro and Annibale De Filippo, presidents, respectively, of the Torrecuso and Ponte sections, together with the area secretary Flavio Nuzzolo. In their opinion, the first road in question, which is causing enormous inconvenience due to the closure to traffic, is the provincial road 106, which connects Ponte with the locality of Torrepalazzo. 'The alternative - the managers denounce in chorus - is not suitable to guarantee a regular transit of the agricultural companies, forced to inadequate and also risky routes'. A situation that, in their opinion, also entails a significant increase in costs. Circulation is also prevented for the municipal road, which connects Ponte, from the locality of Piana, to the Via Francigena. 'The alternative envisaged by Italfer - they explain - damages the agricultural realities of the territory as the stretch of road closed is of vital importance for the connections between houses and work area'. The planned alternative route also involves the use of the Telese-Caianello. 'But it is not practicable especially for those moving with a tractor and trailer. Among other things - Petraccaro points out - it is a problem that is particularly being experienced in this season when the treatment of the lands, the vineyards is carried out, and that will be felt even more at the time of the harvest if we do not take action'. The two presidents, together with the area secretary, have meanwhile gathered the farmers of the interested area, collecting their complaints to be addressed to the local institutions so that they work to find practicable alternatives to local mobility. 'We have delivered a document - they declare in chorus - both to the mayor of Ponte, Antonello Caporaso, and to the prefectural commissioner of Torrecuso, Mario La Montagna. The first citizen has already made himself available to report the matter to the heads of the companies in charge of the works and is already engaged, with the leaders of Italfer and Ghella, in evaluating valid alternatives.