Police warn farmers over muddy roads
Police in Lincolnshire have urged farmers to keep roads free of mud after members of the public complained about hazardous driving conditions.
Farms and contractors are busy lifting vegetable crops in the county ahead of the Christmas market and recent ice and rain has turned fields to mud.
A police spokeswoman said: “There have been reports that drivers are experiencing hazardous driving conditions relating to mud on the roads in parts of Lincolnshire.
“I have assured them that farmers have road safety at the forefront of their minds. No farmers want to cause an accident and they are doing everything practical to keep roads clear.”
Andrew Wilson, NFU Lincolnshire county adviser
“Could we ask farmers to ensure that, as a minimum, signs are placed on the roadside to warn drivers. Ideally, roads should be cleared at the end of each working day.”
Local newspaper The Skegness Standard said its Facebook page was “awash with complaints about the mud”.
One reader said: “I have heard of people sliding in the mud in their cars on the roads, although the farmers do their best to sweep the roads… big changes are necessary before more accidents occur.”
Another added: “The mud [on the A52] was a joke. You could not see the white lines on the road.
“It is a dangerous road without mud. The farm companies should be on the ball with cleaning this road.”
NFU mud on the road code
- Do everything possible to prevent mud being deposited on the road. This includes cleaning mud from vehicles, as far as practicable, before they are taken onto the road. Keeping to farm roads whenever possible and driving at slow speeds to help retain mud on the vehicle.
- If there is a risk of mud being accidentally deposited on roads. Check with the local highways authority for their requirements for hazard warning signs at the side of the road.
- Clean the road as necessary during the working day and always at the end of the working day.
- Ensure that labour and equipment is available and is suitable for the soil and weather present.
- Where a contractor is used, ensure that prior agreement is reached on who is responsible for mud on road issues and ensure that adequate public liability insurance is in place.
The NFU’s Lincolnshire county adviser Andrew Wilson told Farmers Weekly that his office had also received complaints from the public and the police.
“I have assured them that farmers have road safety at the forefront of their minds. No farmers want to cause an accident and they are doing everything practical to keep roads clear,” said Mr Wilson.
“However, in many cases it is simply not possible to sweep the road after every visit to a field. At this time of year in Lincolnshire conditions are muddy because field vegetables are being lifted before Christmas. It often requires several visits to the same field each day.”
“A code of best practice on keeping highways clean was sent out to members a month ago which encourages them to brush the mud off the road after use,” he added.
Tractors on the road: don’t ignore the road rules
