Vehicle carrying scrap metal seized for string of offences

Photo: North West Motorway Police

The vehicle was seized

An uninsured vehicle with a flat tyre has been seized by police after carrying a dangerous load despite having no waste carrier licence.

North West motorway police followed the vehicle on Thursday (2 February), exiting the M62 at Milnrow where they seized the truck.

Not only was the vehicle uninsured and carrying piles of scrap metal ‘secured’ by a thin piece of rope, but the vehicle was also found to have a flat rear tyre whilst the driver did not have a waste carrier licence for the sky-high piles.

Police joked: “Probably not the copper he was expecting.”

A goods vehicle driving with an unsecured load can face an unlimited fine and three penalty points on the driver’s licence, whilst driving on a defective tyre could land the driver with a £100 fixed penalty notice and three points.

Driving a vehicle that you’re not insured to drive could see you given a fixed £300 penalty and six points. If the case goes to court, the driver could get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving.

Waste carriers must be registered with the Environment Agency and can face an unlimited fine for not registering.

Local residents can also check details of a waste carrier's licence at rochdale.gov.uk/flytipping or by calling 0300 303 8884.