Now is the time of year when care is needed to keep roads free from mud and muck for the safety of other road users. During normal cultivating and harvesting operations mud or muck may inevitably end up on the road.  The legal requirement is to try to avoid this, where possible and where unavoidable, proper signage and cleaning up as soon as is practically possible is necessary.

 

The key guidance is:-

 

·           Mud deposited by tractors and /or appliances when on public roads should be removed as soon as practical or at least at the end of the working day.

·           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.

·           If there is a danger of mud being accidentally deposited on roads, use authorised ‘Slippery Road’ signs with a ‘Mud on Road’ sub plate to alert other road users.

·           Mud on Road warning signs should be placed at the extremities of any fouling of the carriageway and signs should be fitted with flashing beacons on 'A' Roads.

·           Make sure signs are positioned to give maximum visibility and warning to road users.

·           Keep written record of decisions on whether or not to use signs and/or to clean the road.

·           Where a contractor is used, ensure that prior agreement is reached on who is responsible for mud on road issues (signage, cleaning etc).

·           Be prepared to hire in equipment to clean up accidentally deposited mud – check availability in advance.