Email: Sludge spilling

I am surprised that a contractor is allowed to carry out work, and have sludge spilling onto the highway. [Dredging makes road dangerous—narrowboatworld 7th March, 2012.]

In my 45 years as a builder I have had to produce method statements and risk assessments dealing with exactly this kind of risk. The priority being to prevent this sort of spill happening.

Surely both British Waterways, as employer, and the contractor have a duty of care towards members of the public endangered by their seemingly reckless activities.

I am also a little surprised that the local authority highways department have allowed this situation to continue. Putting up warning signs and sweeping the road is simply not adequate.

I am astounded that a stop notice has not been served on these works.

Geoff Bennett