Council bin Lorries dropping oil on the road…

[buzzer]

A few months ago I noticed that as the bin lorry goes up and down our road (we live in a cul-de-sac) that it leaves oil on the road each time it stops. It’s very noticeable when it’s wet as you can see the oil film in the water on the road. I called the council to let them know one of the Lorries might have a problem and the girl said she would pass the message on.

A couple of weeks ago, same thing, each time it stopped you could see where it had dropped an oily substance on the wet road. As it pulled up outside the house, the oil deposit was close to the rear of the lorry, so it may be that it’s an oily substance leaking from the rubbish collection bit, rather than an oil leak from the engine/gearbox.


I called the council again and told them their truck was leaking an oily substance…. This time I got called back from a very officious girl to say she had checked with their transport department and it could not possibly be one of their Lorries as they are inspected regularly and maintained to the highest standard.

As we all know this can be pretty dangerous to bikers… anyone else noticed it with their bin Lorries?
What do I do next?

I feel like a peeping Tom, peering from behind the curtains

[Fleegle]

Take a photo of the offending vehicle and e-mail it to the local authority letting them know that this isn't the first time you have reported it, and while you're at it let them know you expect a more courteous reply to someone who pays their wages

[mopman94]

My gripe is diesel all along the bus routes. Its obvious its coming from the buses because it is only on the bus routes and pools at the bus stops.

[bitwrx]

There's a mini roadsweeper wagon in Bristol that has a diesel/oil leak. Really grips my st to see a big oily smear up the edge of the road, just where I cycle.

[John D.]

bitwrx said:

There's a mini roadsweeper wagon in Bristol that has a diesel/oil leak. Really grips my st to see a big oily smear up the edge of the road, just where I cycle.

The road sweeper that services my site regularly has a hydraulic oil leak. Gives the same effect as diesel in/on water.

Suspect the bin lorry could have a hydraulic issue too.

[jackh707]

All the regular bin lorries round here do it.

Ive reported proper fk off diesel spills to liverpool city council before, I'm talking gallons... Assure something would be done... Nothing happened.
I don't know what I expected really.

[Richyboy]

Had this last week. Oil all over my front path and all over the bloody road like it was sprayed, black marks everywhere.

My council took three months to supply me with a bin so I don't have very high hopes for any sort of rectification..

[theshrew]

John D. said:

The road sweeper that services my site regularly has a hydraulic oil leak. Gives the same effect as diesel in/on water.

Suspect the bin lorry could have a hydraulic issue too.

This they generally p1ss the stuff out.

Never the best maintained vehicles, lets face it who the feck would want to work on one of those stinky things.

[Chipchap]

Its easy really. If you genuinely think that the trucks are leaking oil or the load is leaking [insecure load] then ask VOSA to pay a visit to your street / area on bin day. They are fairly hot on stuff like this.

[LordFlathead]

John D. said:

The road sweeper that services my site regularly has a hydraulic oil leak. Gives the same effect as diesel in/on water.

Suspect the bin lorry could have a hydraulic issue too.

This is the most likely. I used to work for Drinkwater Sabeys, then BFI then SITA, same people different company names. The hydraulics used to get damaged regularly and was prone to leaks. Hydraulic oil is far slippier than the heavy stuff IMO.

[HereBeMonsters]

If this is in Southampton, I agree with you. I've seen it too.

[theshrew]

Chipchap]Its easy really. If you genuinely think that the trucks are leaking oil or the load is leaking [insecure load said:

then ask VOSA to pay a visit to your street / area on bin day. They are fairly hot on stuff like this.

That's not a bad idea.

Maybe tell them you nearly fell off your bike because of the oil. I would think they will defo look into it.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

Yes I've noticed this too...only it's not diesel, I think it's cooking fat or something. Seems to only come from the recycling trucks?

[graham22]

DrDoofenshmirtz said:

Yes I've noticed this too...only it's not diesel, I think it's cooking fat or something. Seems to only come from the recycling trucks?

Probably domestic cooking fat, someone has emptied a deep fat fryer into am empty plastic bottle & chucked it in their bin, now crushed & burst in the bin lorry.

Always felt these things should be sealed or at least tanked for 6" or so but then again how will they push the rubbish out of the back.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

I'm not sure, but round our way there were a lot of these spillages (more than the odd one or two broken bottles), and they were accumulating where the lorry had stopped to tip the bins. As you say, it's most likely cooking fat.
Not seen this happen again for a few weeks though.

[Markhorneyuk]

I drove 2 miles to my parents house, halfway there. I saw patches on the ground all the way to my parents. They was all over the road. I am assuming these definitely council refuse lorries as they went only on the road but more of them over the roundabout but also on the other roads I could see. Last week I had an accident on my bike. The worst of it. It was wet rainy weather and dark. After getting up. I inspected the area where I lost control and there was an oil patch to where I lost control.

These councils should be penalised for not maintaining their vehicles correctly.