Farmers Etc - Mud On Roads

[sunny-dave]

First day out on the bike for a while - so I was just poodling along, getting back into the groove.

Which was a good job, because at my usual (moderate but not slow) speed I'd have been lucky to still be in one piece.

Came round a corner on a (fairly major) country road and was confronted by kerb-to-kerb mud/crap/filth - I got through in one piece after a nasty little slide. No damage to me or the bike (although my underwear was certainly scared) - as I say I was just pottering along, but at normal speed I could have been in serious bother.

I was cross enough to go back and check later - no warning signs at all (in either direction) and no attempt to clear up the mess - caused by a tractor/muckspreader going in and out of same gate repeatedly I guess.


What's the law? Do they have to put up signs, do they have to attempt to clear up and keep the road safe for traffic? If not, why not?


dave

[hc4361]

Good article here
http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Travel_and_transport/Roads/Road_maintenance/Road_cleaning/NCC030038

[ChuckFickens]

https://beta.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/3031716/mud_on_roads_farm_vehicle_operators_guidance.pdf

[ChuckFickens]

^ LOL, exactly the same text from two totally different places :)

[LazyGun]

@sunny-dave " No damage to me or the bike (although my underwear was certainly scared)"

Sounds like you very nearly added your own contribution to further exacerbate the situation! :)

I did think that they had at the very least to put up warning signs, or they could be subject to police/legal proceedings.....

[sunny-dave]

Thanks Chaps - that's very useful (even better in stereo).

Next time I'm over Market Bosworth way I may take a few pictures ...

[yogasun]

I think the Highways Act says that it is an offence to deposit mud, etc. on road, etc. When I used to work for a Prosecutions Office pcs did regularly report such actions and the driver (usually tractor driver) was fined and there were costs for cleaning, etc.
They probably don't bother now so much but it can be dangerous.

[tonywiltshire]

It is totally irresponsible for anything to be on the road which may cause danger to other road users, it is a criminal offence where a person deliberately does something which causes danger, it is not necessary for the prosecution to prove an intention to cause danger, but only that the act itself was intentional without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. You may be interested in sections 161 & 137 of the Highways Act 1980.
Civil action is, of course, also available.