Take care on muddy roads (From Cotswold Journal)

Take care on muddy roads in Gloucestershire

9:50am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News By Freya Leng

DRIVERS are warned to take care after reports of an increase in mud on Gloucestershire’s roads.

Gloucestershire Highways has taken a number of calls about the mud which is coming from tractors due to the maize harvest.

The mud, which is expected to last until mid-November, is made worse by the damp conditions in fields following a very wet few months.

At this time of year, the mud can be very slippery so while the roads are muddy, Gloucestershire Highways is warning people to take extra care when driving: • Keep an eye on the road surface conditions and slow down • Leave extra space for braking • Allow for other road users avoiding mud or other obstacles in the road • Make sure your washer bottle is full.

Councillor Will Windsor-Clive, Cabinet member for communities, said: “Mud on the roads can make driving conditions more difficult.

“If drivers come across mud on the road, they should change their driving in the same way they would for ice or very wet roads. This problem is likely to be short-lived as the harvest season is nearly over.”

Clearing the mud off the roads, and putting warning signs up, is the responsibility of the farmer and many farmers are very good at doing this.

If a road is particularly muddy, Gloucestershire Highways will work with the Police to track down the responsible farmer and ensure the road is cleared as soon as possible.