Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day or
two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?

Douglas de Lacey

Douglas de Lacey wrote:
Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day or
two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?

Douglas de Lacey

Make a couple of signs saying "Very Slippery Road" and place them a
little way in each direction. IANAL but I think anything else could
leave you liable for any future accidents.

On 24 Dec 2005 10:42:58 -0800, "Ascro" wrote:

|
| Douglas de Lacey wrote:
| Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
| from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a dayor
| two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
| road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
| council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
| do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
| an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
| there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
| personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?
|
| Douglas de Lacey
|
| Make a couple of signs saying "Very Slippery Road" and place them a
| little way in each direction.

A computer printer and a cheap laminator makes good signs.
Make the paper a bit smaller then the laminate, then punch holes
without touching the paper and tie them onto lampposts with Cable
ties. Nobody will complain when you act as a good citizen.
--
Dave Fawthrop hyphen Hyphenologist.co.uk Register your mobile phone
IMEI *free* on http://www.menduk.org/. Keep the username and password.
If it gets stolen report it your provider to get it blocked. To hopefully
get it back report on http://www.menduk.org/ or 08701 123 123.

"Douglas de Lacey" wrote in message
...
"nothing the HA will do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's
the point of having an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to
the point, is there anything I can do, preferably without making myself
liable for any personal damage or death which may result if another
cyclist slips there?

Douglas de Lacey

Well, you did your duty and told those non-doing idlers about a hazard. And
then in disgust you sought to place the total experience on record here. You
can tell them you have exposed their "game" to an interested audience.
BTW the salting trucks on standby here in Bexley only come out after a
certain official temperature drop.
Jim

In article , says...
Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day or
two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?

Douglas de Lacey


When it comes to highways, I don't think that there is anything that you
can do yourself.

A few years ago, when my youngest was just a few months old, my wife
went to see some friends. Their road had no street lights, and a badly
broken-up pavement. Whilst carrying the baby from the car, she tripped,
and went head-first into the pavement. Fortunately both she and Harry
were fine, apart from severe bruising around the head on her (she had
the presence of mind not to let go of the baby).

I phoned the highways department of the council to talk to someone about
the state of the pavement, and was told that they knew all about this
road and that it was on their emergency action plan, and would be dealt
with in the next 2-3 years! When I argued that it was a severe risk to
life and limb, I was told that there was nothing else they could do in
the meantime, and that if I wanted to sue, they would be happy to give
me the name of their solicitors. I pointed out that I wasn't interested
in suing, at which point the guy sounded quite dissappointed!

True to their word, 2 years later the pavement was re-surfaced, but
still no street lamps - it is in a rural location, and has no other
ambient light, but at least the pavement is level and unbroken!

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:35:44 +0000, Douglas de Lacey wrote:

Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day or
two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?

Douglas de Lacey

Get a mate to take a ride down there, 'fall off' and issue legal proceedings against the council,
who have previously been informed of the hazard and can therefore be shown to have been negligent.
Councils tend to take more notice when it looks like costing them money...

Dave Fawthrop wrote:
On 24 Dec 2005 10:42:58 -0800, "Ascro" wrote:

|
| Douglas de Lacey wrote:
| Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
| from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day or
| two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
| road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
| council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
| do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
| an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
| there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
| personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?
|
| Douglas de Lacey
|
| Make a couple of signs saying "Very Slippery Road" and place them a
| little way in each direction.

A computer printer and a cheap laminator makes good signs.

Yes. Now, where do I get a laminator this time of night? I hope a
plastic sleeve and cardboard will be adequate: the problem is printing
it big enough to be visible: even putting DANGER the full length of A4
landscape is not that visible:-(

Douglas de Lacey

Douglas de Lacey wrote:
Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day or
two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?

Try the local police. They may be willing to put warning signs on the
road if it means them being called out to fewer accidents.


--
Matt Helliwell
matt at helliwell dot me dot uk
www.helliwell.me.uk

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 19:00:52 -0000, Gary Cavie wrote:

I was told that there was nothing else they could do in the
meantime, and that if I wanted to sue, they would be happy to give
me the name of their solicitors. I pointed out that I wasn't
interested in suing, at which point the guy sounded quite
dissappointed!

I guess beacuse he knew if you sued and went to court the money to
sort that bit of pavement would be magically found overnight and the
job done within a month.

Couple of bikers richoceted of the front of a landrover turning right
after a corner by us the other year. Both moderately injured, one was
Air Ambulanced out. Signs appeared within 3 months showing Farm
Traffic and "Tractors Turning" text.

still no street lamps - it is in a rural location, and has no other
ambient light,

Pah, townies who come to the country side. Dark is dark out here,
really dark, can't see you hand when it touches your nose dark.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:52:26 +0000, Dave Fawthrop wrote:

| ... is there anything I can do, preferably without making myself
| liable for any personal damage or death which may result if
| another cyclist slips there?

I wouldn't risk trying to treat the slippyness.

| Make a couple of signs saying "Very Slippery Road" and place them a
| little way in each direction.

Thats about as far as I'd go but even then I'm not sure if it opens
you to the fact the signage is not offical, of the right size and type
etc.

Nobody will complain when you act as a good citizen.

I wouldn't put money on it. Some have been succesfully sued by people
slipping on footpaths cleared by the "good citizen" that lived nearby.
It's a nasty litigious society we now live in were "somebody" is to
"blame" for every damn stupid mistake anyone makes. Common sense has
gone out of the window.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

In article om,
says...
On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 19:00:52 -0000, Gary Cavie wrote:

I was told that there was nothing else they could do in the
meantime, and that if I wanted to sue, they would be happy to give
me the name of their solicitors. I pointed out that I wasn't
interested in suing, at which point the guy sounded quite
dissappointed!

I guess beacuse he knew if you sued and went to court the money to
sort that bit of pavement would be magically found overnight and the
job done within a month.

No doubt - what a sorry state of affairs though :-(


Couple of bikers richoceted of the front of a landrover turning right
after a corner by us the other year. Both moderately injured, one was
Air Ambulanced out. Signs appeared within 3 months showing Farm
Traffic and "Tractors Turning" text.

still no street lamps - it is in a rural location, and has no other
ambient light,

Pah, townies who come to the country side. Dark is dark out here,
really dark, can't see you hand when it touches your nose dark.

OI!! - I've always lived out in the sticks - can't imagine anything
worse than living amongst sodium street lights and neon signs!

Matt Helliwell wrote:
Douglas de Lacey wrote:

Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and
heard from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident
a day or two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a
dangerously slippy road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem:
call the local council"; the local council took details and said
"nothing the HA will do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers".
What's the point of having an emergency line if they can't *do*
anything? More to the point, is there anything I can do, preferably
without making myself liable for any personal damage or death which
may result if another cyclist slips there?


Try the local police. They may be willing to put warning signs on the
road if it means them being called out to fewer accidents.

Ye-es. Took 35 minutes before the phone was answered (pretty typical for
Cambs Constabulary). No, sir, we can't put up signs in a poorly-lit
area. However, they think they may have more clout with the Highways
Agency, so I've left them to it. Meanwhile it's now so foggy that my
signs will be invisible -- let alone their wording.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Douglas de lacey.

In message , Douglas de Lacey
writes
Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day
or two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously
slippy road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for
any personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?

You should have told them you thought there was a diesel spillage

--
geoff

Douglas de Lacey wrote:
Matt Helliwell wrote:

Douglas de Lacey wrote:

Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and
heard from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident
a day or two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a
dangerously slippy road.

Try the local police. They may be willing to put warning signs on the
road if it means them being called out to fewer accidents.

Ye-es. Took 35 minutes before the phone was answered (pretty typical for
Cambs Constabulary). No, sir, we can't put up signs in a poorly-lit
area.

Oh well. The ones in Woking were OK when I went in to tell them about a
diesel slick on the road. But then I was lucky enough to call in at a
time when the station wa actually open.

--
Matt Helliwell
matt at helliwell dot me dot uk
www.helliwell.me.uk

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:35:44 +0000, Douglas de Lacey wrote:

Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and heard
from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident a day or
two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a dangerously slippy
road. The Highways Agency said "not our problem: call the local
council"; the local council took details and said "nothing the HA will
do till the 29th; let's cross our fingers". What's the point of having
an emergency line if they can't *do* anything? More to the point, is
there anything I can do, preferably without making myself liable for any
personal damage or death which may result if another cyclist slips there?

Douglas de Lacey

Are cyclists not aware of slippery roads these days?

Next time hit the ******* on the head with a mallet, and think of it as
evolution in action.

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 20:45:58 GMT, raden wrote:

You should have told them you thought there was a diesel spillage

There has a very bad accident on a sharp bend near my house last week.
Now the road is covered with a green powder, is this to soak up
diesel?

What is it, and why green?

--
Nigel M

On Sun, 25 Dec 2005 08:44:50 +0000, Matt Helliwell wrote:

Douglas de Lacey wrote:
Matt Helliwell wrote:

Douglas de Lacey wrote:

Having just scraped a cyclist off the road on a corner nearby and
heard from a friend that a colleague of his had an identical accident
a day or two ago, I tried to ring the authorities to report a
dangerously slippy road.

Try the local police. They may be willing to put warning signs on the
road if it means them being called out to fewer accidents.

Ye-es. Took 35 minutes before the phone was answered (pretty typical for
Cambs Constabulary). No, sir, we can't put up signs in a poorly-lit
area.

Oh well. The ones in Woking were OK when I went in to tell them about a
diesel slick on the road. But then I was lucky enough to call in at a
time when the station wa actually open.

When I phoned up about the Diesel spillage in the main road (B550) near
here the police thanked me, and said it was quite in order to use 999.


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

On Sun, 25 Dec 2005 11:40:08 +0000, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:


Are cyclists not aware of slippery roads these days?

Next time hit the ******* on the head with a mallet, and think of it as
evolution in action.

Road was probably slippery because some brainless ****wit in a diesel
vehicle overfilled the tank or left the filler loose.

If you're not aware of this maybe you could do with a mallet blow to
the head yourself...

cheers,
Pete.