Hinckley: Contractor warned over 'unacceptable' mud on roads

Orbit Homes has permission to build 60 homes on a former clay pit, known locally as The Big Pit

A contractor has received a warning after a road near a site where new homes are set to be built was left covered in mud.

Orbit Homes has permission to build 60 homes on a former clay pit, known locally as The Big Pit, off Ashby Road in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Ambion Contractors Ltd is filling the pit before construction work begins.

The business has been served with a community protection warning from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

Residents have previously raised concerns about the problem - which they said had left cars skidding down the road - with the borough and county councils, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Ambion could be given a community protection notice if the situation does not improve, the borough council said.

Non-compliance with this type of notice carries criminal sanctions and can lead to a criminal record.

A spokesperson for Ambion said: "We are aware of the concerns and the letter from Hinckley and Bosworth District Council.

"We continue to operate and work very closely with HBBC on a daily basis as we have done since May 2022."

'Unacceptable' mud

The contractor has also been told it must ensure its set-up for washing mud from the wheels of its vehicles is effective enough to stop mud from being tracked away from the site.

Road sweepers must also be used regularly, the warning added.

The council said its own road sweepers had been out to make the roads safer.

Councillor Michael Mullaney, executive member for community safety, said the mud was making it "dangerous" for drivers and pedestrians.

He said: "While the contractors have wheel washing in place, it has not been effective at preventing this mess and it's clear that further work needs to be done to minimise the significant harm being experienced by residents."

An Orbit Homes spokesperson said the company was "disappointed to hear of the concerns of the local community" and said the condition of the roads was "unacceptable".