Ice Terrorists

[theclaud]

Is it an offence knowingly to dispense large quantities of water onto a road (for whatever reason) in sub-zero conditions? It goes without saying that it is stupid, but is it criminal?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Neighbour been defrosting his car windows with hot water in the street?

 

[theclaud]

Neighbours one can try having a polite word with. On this occasion I'm talking about a Car Wash. On a busy main road. On a steep hill. I don't fancy my chances if I simply ask a Car Wash to stop, well, washing cars...

 

[Christopher]

Might be naughty from an environmental standpoint if the water is in any way contaminated (soap counts) and they're letting it go into surfacewater drains. Local council or the Environment Agency might be interested in this - usually soapy water has to go to foul drainage with the agreement of the water company. This would cost the carwash money (they'd pay the water company for a discharge consent) so perhaps they don't bother

 

[MontyVeda]

i think it should be an offence... had one 'off' this morning, which was pretty good considering there was sheet ice everywhere round these parts. Might work from home this aft... boss permitting.

 

[Christopher]

I looked at the EA website, it says they deal with pollution to water or land. Incident number is 0800 80 70 60 (mods - this is from the EA's website, it isn't a private number) to report. That goes to a call centre, you'll need to tell them in detail all about it. You will need the postcode or grid ref of the car wash and its name too. NB if it is 'clean' water than it's a matter for the local authority, highways agency or utility company. If so then get ready for a game of pass the parcel as none will want to deal with this.

 

[ianrauk]

Neighbours one can try having a polite word with. On this occasion I'm talking about a Car Wash. On a busy main road. On a steep hill. I don't fancy my chances if I simply ask a Car Wash to stop, well, washing cars...

Yup, noticed the same thing on a stretch of my commute. Fast part of the A21. There was ice kerbside caused by a car wash and thought at the time it's lucky it wasn't more spread out into the road.

 

[theclaud]

I looked at the EA website, it says they deal with pollution to water or land. Incident number is 0800 80 70 60 (mods - this is from the EA's website, it isn't a private number) to report. That goes to a call centre, you'll need to tell them in detail all about it. You will need the postcode or grid ref of the car wash and its name too. NB if it is 'clean' water than it's a matter for the local authority, highways agency or utility company. If so then get ready for a game of pass the parcel as none will want to deal with this.

When I said "large quantities" of water, I was talking from the position of someone on 23mm tyres heading towards an ice-slick at 30mph. As pollution goes, it's on the minor side. But I could try that if I don't get any response from the LA, which is likely...

 

[martint235]

I had an issue with the Blackheath Tea Hut emptying water into the cycle lane outside during winter. I took it up with the local council. It took a while and a lot of "It's TfL's responsibility", "It's Greenwich's", "No it's Lewisham's". This year it looks like it's finally been sorted and I assume thanks go to Lewisham as they were the last I dealt with.

I would have thought the Local Authority would be interested as there would have been something in the approved plans on how to deal with excess water.

 

[400bhp]

Well, they are leaving themselves open for civil claims.

Hope they have 3rd party liability insurance.

 

[summerdays]

Well, they are leaving themselves open for civil claims.

Hope they have 3rd party liability insurance.

I was going to say something similar.

 

[fossyant]

Non serious note - where was all this ice so I could go play on it with my tyres !

 

[Wobblers]

Well, they are leaving themselves open for civil claims.

Hope they have 3rd party liability insurance.

This.

They'd probably be held to blame for any accidents - could be expensive. Do you, perchance, have any Ming vases that you want transported?

 

[lukesdad]

Neighbours one can try having a polite word with. On this occasion I'm talking about a Car Wash. On a busy main road. On a steep hill. I don't fancy my chances if I simply ask a Car Wash to stop, well, washing cars...

Sketty by any chance ?

 

[srw]

This.

They'd probably be held to blame for any accidents - could be expensive. Do you, perchance, have any Ming vases that you want transported?

An injury to the person (especially if plegic of any kind) would be rather more expensive - if painful.