Angus farmers urged to clean up after using county's roads

Angus Council is appealing to drivers of tractors and other vehicles.

Angus farmers and farm workers are being warned that they are risking other road users’ safety by failing to clean up after themselves by removing mud from the county’s roads.

They are also being reminded that failing to do so is an offence under current legislation.

The warning has been issued by Angus Council, which is appealing to drivers of tractors, agricultural and other large vehicles to help keep the county’s roads clear of mud and, where needed, to clean up after using the roadways.

As summer makes way for autumn and with the ‘Tattie Holidays’ here, farmers and other operators of plant and heavy vehicles are, as ever, working hard in all weathers.

Mud on roads can pose a hazard to other road users.

Moving from field to field, or off-road to on-road, can lead to trails of mud being left on roads , which can make driving hazardous for all road users, and the council has said that setting out warning signs is not enough.

A council spokesperson said: “The vast majority of the Angus farming community take their responsibilities very seriously and will always clean up any hazards at the earliest opportunity. But issues can still arise. It is a problem that is not unique to Angus.

“So Angus Council appeals to all heavy plant and tractor drivers to clean up and remove any mud on the road as soon as they possibly can. Not doing so is an offence under the Roads (Scotland) Act.

“Putting out warning is good practice. But it does not excuse mud being left on the road for hours or days or remove liability in the event of an incident. Please help keep Angus’s roads clear and safe.”