A ROAD in Sea, Ilminster has been reported to be covered in mud leading to many near misses and a “terrifying” motorcycle accident.

The motorcycle crash in question involved a learner motorcyclist who skidded on the muddy Sea road at a sharp bend and completely lost control of the bike. He ended up being thrown across the road and an ambulance was called.

An eyewitness of the crash said: “When I got out the car the mud was very slippery on foot let alone for a bike. I nearly fell over trying to help him.”

Somerset Council said they are currently looking at the issue and have reminded farmers and other workers to keep the road clear of debris.

Many people living in the surrounding areas are saying they are facing similar issues with all the residual mud on the roads, that it is “very dangerous” and a “major skidding risk for all motorists”.

Only a few days later there was another near miss with a van almost ending up in a bush after skidding and being sent sideways by the mud on the same road.

A passenger in the van said: “We were going to The Stonemasons for lunch, came round the corner at Sea, and with no warning the road was covered in a mass of slimy mud. It is extremely hazardous.

“My daughter started to try and brake, and I shouted it her to steer into the skid, she did and managed to just avoid the hedge on the opposite side of the road. The mud sent us sideways across the road. If any vehicle had been coming the other way, it could have resulted in a very bad accident.

“We were very lucky. My daughter is a very good driver, and I am a very experienced bus and HGV driver, I was also trained in the army, but a less experienced driver could have been in big trouble.

“Someone will die on that road.”

As a rural county where farming is a major activity and where farmers carry out a lot of important land and vegetation maintenance, it is a common occurrence for mud and debris to end up on the road.

The Council’s expectation is that operators ensure all mud and debris is removed immediately when this happens. 

It is an offence to leave mud and other material on the road, and people who do so may be liable to prosecution and for the cost of cleaning it up. 

 If you spot mud on the road or another problem you can do so quickly and easily here: Report a problem on the road - Somerset Council. 

Find out more about this issue here Mud on the road. 

Earlier this year a Somerset farmer was held responsible for landslip resulting from land management issues which had closed a major A road, causing significant disruption. 

Somerset Council successfully recovered costs of £19,000 for the ensuing clear-up which involved a Council highways team over several hours. 

Last month, the A3088 Cartgate link road near Yeovil had to be closed to enable a highways team to clear mud from the road which was posing a major hazard to motorists. 

Lead member for Transport and Waste Services Councillor Richard Wilkins, said:  “We are grateful for the vital work local farmers do throughout the year - trimming hedges and ensuring road safety during winter with snow ploughing.  

“But there is a minority who fail to clear up when run-off occurs or when mud is left by vehicles working on nearby fields. 

“This is highly dangerous for the road-using public – in some cases it has happened on fast, major routes and drivers may not spot it until it’s too late. 

“Please ensure any mud or debris is removed from the road – as we have demonstrated, we will come after those who fail to do so and use our powers to enforce the law.”