Reporting a road spillage

Spillages on roads can cause serious accidents for all highway users. You should report them to your local Roads Service office.

Why you should report a spillage on a road

Oil and diesel spillages may be potentially hazardous. For these and other substances of a hazardous nature, the local police and fire service may also be involved in the incident and road closures may be required. Spillages on motorways and other roads are very hazardous and should be reported to Roads Service immediately.

Who is responsible for clearing up a road spillage?

Responsibility for cleaning the road surface to restore its conditions lies with the person who allowed the spillage to occur in the first place.

In certain circumstances, particularly in the interests of road safety, Roads Service may carry out whatever operations are necessary to restore the road condition themselves and may subsequently seek to recover costs from the offender if possible.

It is an offence for anyone to allow any solid or liquid matter to be deposited onto the road surface. Allowing spillages to occur can be potentially dangerous to motorists and pedestrians and possibly hazardous to the environment. Where offenders can be identified they will be instructed to take whatever steps are necessary to restore the road condition. The Police may be notified and if appropriate steps are not taken the Police may consider taking further action.

You should report any spillages to your local Roads Service Office or to the relevant Roads Service after hour’s telephone number. Any details in relation to the offending person or persons which you can supply would be particularly useful.

You can report a fault to Roads Service online, by e-mail, in writing or in person to the relevant office or by telephone.