Police and farmers work together to clear mud from roads
Two North Lancashire police officers have decided to help the farming community clear the roads of mud during harvest time by trialling a groundbreaking new cleaning machine. An initiative endorsed by the NFU.
The specially made road blaster, the first of its kind to be used in this country on the roads, aims to clear the surface of mud and debris left partly by farmers' vehicles.
The tanker will be employed locally after Lower Lune Valley Community Beat Managers PC Keith Collins and PC Ian Johnston noticed a rise in the spate of collisions caused by mud on outlying rural roads.
Commenting on the initiative, PC Collins said: "By sharing concerns and views in open meetings at local farmers auctions, and working closely with the NFU we have raised the awareness of the danger that can be caused by spillages on roads."
NFU's Lancashire County Chairman, David Graveston, added: "Keeping rural roads safe from any dangers is of paramount concern to farming families. Farmers accept that their vehicles occasionally accidentally drop mud and slurry on the road which during busy times, such as harvest, can be left behind.
"By providing the rural community with this new road blaster, the police will be proactively helping farmers to reduce tractor related road injuries. Vilifying the farming community after accidents caused by mud on the road does not prevent them from happening. For this reason I fully endorse this initiative."
Over the coming weeks the bright yellow road blaster tanker will be evaluated whilst the maize crop is harvested across the region, a time of year when mud on roads is a problem.
Fawcetts Contractors of Ireby are supporting the initiative by cleaning the roads with the tanker while farmers and contactors carry out the harvesting.
PCs Collins and Johnston have also designed a range of lightweight portable warning signs to be used to warn road users about slippery roads. The signs have been approved by Lancashire County Council and the NFU.
PC Johnston added: "This groundbreaking initiative has not been trialled anywhere else in the UK which, if proved successful will save taxpayers money in reducing police and council call-outs and most importantly a reduction in casualties.
"Our primary aim is to reduce tractor-related injuries significantly through a combination of interventions from engineering to policy to education. We don't want farmers causing accidents, or other drivers causing accidents that might involve the farmers."
