Shed on M27 among bizarre items found by traffic police on major roads

Highways England traffic officers revealed over 46,000 items were found on England’s motorways and major A roads in just 10 months.

Officers have dealt with everything from timber and a double-glazed door to windows.

And with the summer fast approaching there will be more drivers with loads such as bikes and roof boxes strapped to their vehicles.

Highways England has urged drivers to make sure loads are safely secured before they leave.

Hampshire Traffic officer Matthew Bradshaw said: ‘We once had a shed on the M27, without a scratch on it, just sat in lane two.

‘It was brand new and pretty massive. No-one ever claimed it. I have heard of a few sheds being found on roads before.’

Matthew also had to deal with a load of timber which fell off the truck on a slip road joining the A27 just east of Portsmouth.

He said: ‘It was another story of a driver not knowing how to secure loads correctly. Fortunately he became aware of the problem before the rest of the load came off or before he got onto the main carriageway and no-one was hurt.’

On-road team manager Mark Snell, who operates in Hampshire, added: ‘We have had fence panels, a shed, tools, tool boxes, motorcycle bags and top boxes – the whole contents on one family’s top box was spread all over three lanes as they were on their way to a holiday in the West Country.

‘On one occasion there was a double-glazed door and windows on the slip road at junction 6 of the M3 with cars swerving around them.’

Other items that traffic officers have had to deal with include a king size mattress on the A3M onto the A27.

Most items dropped on motorways were building or construction materials. Between June 2019 and April this year there were 1,784 incidents of building items obstructing major roads.

Meanwhile, there were 991 incidents of vehicle parts or accessories found over the same period and 699 household or garden items.

The RAC, Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association are supporting Highways England’s calls for drivers to check their vehicles, trailers and loads before setting off on journeys.

Ben Aldous, RAC patrol of the year, said: ‘Just a few minutes spent making sure things like bikes, roof boxes and caravans are completely secure, and then double-checking them can make the difference between a trouble-free journey and one that puts people’s lives at risk, as well as causes long delays for other travellers.

‘We’d ask everyone checks their loads at the same time as looking at things like tyre tread and pressure, and oil and coolant levels. The more care drivers take before setting out, the smoother their journeys.’

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