Farmers warned over leaving mud on roads

Somerset Council wants local people to report if they find a dangerously muddy road

Farmers have been warned not to leave excessive amounts of mud on roads.

Somerset Council says it is an offence and can lead to farmers having to pay for the clean-up costs.

Last month, the A3088 Cartgate link road near Yeovil had to be closed so a council highways team could clean up mud, which the authority said was posing a major hazard to motorists.

The local authority wants people to report if they find a particularly muddy road using its online form.

Somerset Council's highways team carry out clean-ups when dangerously muddy roads are reported

The council says that as a rural county - where farming is a major activity and where farmers carry out a lot of important land and vegetation maintenance - it is a common occurrence for mud and debris to end up on the road.

However, it said it expected that farmers and operators should ensure the mud was removed immediately when this happened.

Lead member for transport and waste services, councillor Richard Wilkins, said: “We are grateful for the vital work local farmers do throughout the year - trimming hedges and ensuring road safety during winter with snow ploughing.

“But there is a minority who fail to clear up when run-off occurs or when mud is left by vehicles working on nearby fields.

“This is highly dangerous for the road-using public - in some cases it has happened on fast, major routes and drivers may not spot it until it’s too late."

He added: “Please ensure any mud or debris is removed from the road - as we have demonstrated, we will come after those who fail to do so and use our powers to enforce the law.”