Cleaner Safer Highway for Motorcyclists

The Highways Hotline number is:

0300 111 8000

What Dangers Do You See?  

What the motorcyclist or other road user might not see until it's too late...  

• Mud on the road
• Broken branches, hedge cuttings and thorns
• Harvest spillage like potatoes or maize
• Diesel or oil spillages
• Cattle crossing; mud from hooves and other deposits
• Farmers cutting trees on or nearby bends
• Signage obscured due to overgrown hedges or trees
• Icy conditions caused by surface water run-off
• Blocked gullies caused by mud and debris

What is the impact of leaving debris on the road?

IT CAN RESULT IN:  

• Increased number of serious injury or fatal road collisions
• Damage to vehicles
• Damage to the road surface

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to mud or debris deposited on the highway.

THE LAW

The following information explains your responsibilities in law:

Highways Act 1980 - Debris:  If a person without lawful authority or excuse deposits anything whatsoever on a highway in consequence of which a user of the highway is injured or endangered, that person is guilty of the offence.

Highways Act 1980 - Hedge cutting:  Where a hedge, tree or shrub overhangs the highway or any other road or footpath to which the public has access so as to endanger or obstruct the passage of vehicles... a competent authority... may require him so to lop or cut as to remove the cause of danger, obstruction or interference.

WHAT MUST YOU DO TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW?

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 on to the road.  Clean the road as necessary during the working day and always at the end of the working day.  If there is a danger of mud being accidently deposited on the roads, use authorised signs to alert other road users.

HEDGE CUTTING

Roadside hedges are the responsibility of the adjoining landowner.  It is the responsibility of the landowner to keep the highway, footpaths and signage  clear of branches and foliage so as to ensure the safe usage of the highway.  Whilst cutting hedges you must ensure that there is no danger to the public: you must provide adequate warning to other road users and always clean the highway of any debris.

WE CAN HELP YOU

The Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership is providing signage for the use of farmers and building contractors when the occasion arrives that you cannot avoid spilling debris onto the highway.  You should locate these safely on the road prior to the start of work where you are expected to deposit debris.  Ensure signs are clearly visible and secure and will not be blown over by wind or passing traffic.  At the end of the day or when the work is completed, whichever is sooner, you must clear the highway of debris to make it safe before removing the signage.  The process will be explained to you when you receive the signage.

CLEANER SAFER HIGHWAY FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

HELP US TO HELP YOU

We need to know where the problem is, so whenever you come across debris on the road that could cause a danger to yourself or others please contact the Highways Hotline number and report it.  You will then be supporting your fellow bikers and it means we can get it cleaned up more quickly.  This will also allow us to identify those who deposit debris on the road and support them to maintain a safer highway for all.
 

The temporary signs are available from the Staffordshire County Council Road Safety Unit by contacting 01785 276617.  The signs will be delivered to you with information to support you in the process of keeping the highway clar of mud and debris.

If you would prefer to contact your local district Council Office for more information then please see your local contact list