Above the Law
Being new the the country life - I just wish to add to points of observation and ask if this is the norm and just ignored please.!
On this websire - I have read recently about the parking and general inconsideration of drivers in and around Halesworth.
I have noticed a considerable amount of mud on the road between Halesworth, Wissett and Rumburgh. This is not caused by cars, but by agricultural vehicles. Over the past months, I have noticed that no-one has cleaned or removed `their mud from the road, which is contrary to the road traffic act. In fact, just recently, a sign was left saying "Mud on Road" and the mud is left ,to be driven over and coat our vehciles.
Secondly - I see plenty of Police Casualty Reduction Units (Speed Camera Vans) dotted all over the area. To drive down casualties and to promote acceptable driver behaviour. So why is that every single weekday, usually twice a day - several cars are being parked on the yellow lines and zig-zags outside the school and directly OPPOSITE the Halesworth Police Station. It appears to me that the welfare and safety of the children are being compromised right under our and Police noses - and will no doubt continue until a child gets hurt. So tagging on to the recent conversation about parking and buses - It appears to be to the convenience of the minority rather than safety of others - Very selfish.
On this websire - I have read recently about the parking and general inconsideration of drivers in and around Halesworth.
I have noticed a considerable amount of mud on the road between Halesworth, Wissett and Rumburgh. This is not caused by cars, but by agricultural vehicles. Over the past months, I have noticed that no-one has cleaned or removed `their mud from the road, which is contrary to the road traffic act. In fact, just recently, a sign was left saying "Mud on Road" and the mud is left ,to be driven over and coat our vehciles.
Secondly - I see plenty of Police Casualty Reduction Units (Speed Camera Vans) dotted all over the area. To drive down casualties and to promote acceptable driver behaviour. So why is that every single weekday, usually twice a day - several cars are being parked on the yellow lines and zig-zags outside the school and directly OPPOSITE the Halesworth Police Station. It appears to me that the welfare and safety of the children are being compromised right under our and Police noses - and will no doubt continue until a child gets hurt. So tagging on to the recent conversation about parking and buses - It appears to be to the convenience of the minority rather than safety of others - Very selfish.
Comments
But it's as irritating as others I know who throw their dog poo into the road rather than clearing it up properly.
"Depositing mud on the road is an offence under the Highways Act. It is the legal responsibility of the farmer to ensure that every precaution is taken to avoid any mud being carried off the field. Accepting that in cultivating and harvesting operations some mud will inevitably end up on the road, it is important to make arrangements to remove it immediately." (taken from National Farmer's Union website).
Some of you may remember a fatal accident on the B1117 just outside Halesworth about 12 years ago, where a driver was killed and her passenger injured. This was as a result of the car skidding on wet mud and crashing into a telegraph pole. The mud had been deposited on the road the day before during sugar beet harvesting, and made worse by heavy overnight rain. As I recall, the police had received several complaints the day and night before the accident and the farmer was advised to put up warning signs and to clear up the mud as soon as possible, both of which he failed to do.
I drove along the same stretch of road minutes after the accident and very nearly suffered the same fate
because of the slippery surface and lack of warning.
Some months later I was called to give evidence at the Coroner's Inquest into the death.
Unusually this was held was held with a jury, who found that the farmer had been negligent, and had failed in his duty to put up clear warning signs and to remove the mud from the road. He was heavily fined.
My advice to anyone concerned about the hazard of wet mud on the road is to report it immediately to the local police station/your Community Police Officer . If you are not happy with the response you receive then you should telephone or email your local County Councillor, make a complaint and invite them to come and see for themselves.
When mud is left in excess - then yes, I think it should be dealt with by the person that deposited there - Perhaps the company should be held accountable - Perhaps Waveney D.C should claer it u and bill the company.Did anyone drive along the Bungay straight today. ?? Just leave it on the road - someone else will clear it up - Perhaps I should start throwing litter out of my car window. After all there are no litter bins, coz I`m in the country and not in a town.
I fully accept that agricultural vehicles will deposit mud on the roads - It is the nature of the beast and has to be and IS accepted by those living in the country - But having accepted this - How often has any reader said "Look at the state of this road with the mud" It is at that point, when I think its gone beyond `living in the country` and become anti social and is someone elses problem not mine - so who cares..!!!???
Comments are closed. Why not start a new conversation?