Overview
- Between January 1 and September 30, 2025, National Highways teams removed more than 49,000 items from motorways and major A roads.
- The M6 recorded 5,606 obstruction incidents and the M1 5,175, while the North West had the highest regional total with 9,795 items recovered.
- Building and construction materials were the largest category with 9,685 items, followed by 8,565 vehicle parts and 4,606 tyres.
- Traffic officers also encountered a fairground ride abandoned on a verge along the M180 near Scunthorpe in November and a boat beside the A42 near Measham in July.
- Officials warn that removing debris often necessitates lane or carriageway closures, which endangers staff and drivers and leads to travel disruption.