Clean up your mud or face prosecution

LANDOWNERS and contractors who fail to clear mud they have left on roads could face prosecution, highways chiefs have threatened.

Following concern over accidents and near-misses caused by dirt caked onto Cambridgeshire's roads, police and county council highways officials are appealing to landowners and those working alongside the public highway to make sure mud and dirt is cleared up, or they could face prosecution and a £1,000 fine.

A minority of landowners and contractors have ignored their duty to clear up after themselves and have left roads covered in mud and dirt, the council said. This can cause slippery surfaces and can help create accidents and skids.

"Cleaning up the mess left by vehicles travelling in and out of muddy fields and off-road sites is up to the driver who has deposited it. If mud is not cleaned up, then vital taxpayers' money, which could be spent on essential road safety schemes has to be used to clear up the dirt or mud, a spokesman said.

"The county council is left with a bill of at least £350 every time it is called out and then has to try and recoup those costs from the person who left the mess in the first place."

Cambridgeshire Constabulary has issued a warning that they will prosecute people who refuse to clean up the mud or dirt they have left on the road.

Mark Kemp, county council director for highways and access, said: "We understand that landowners and farmers have to take large vehicles on and off muddy fields and it is impossible not to stop dirt from going onto the roads.

"In the majority of cases this is then cleared up by those responsible and we thank them for doing this.

"Unfortunately there are a few who leave the mess on the road, causing dangerous slippery conditions and leaving the taxpayer to pick up the bill.