Lanes gives a sticky problem a sweet outcome

Lanes engineers have helped a client solve a sticky problem after a truck carrying glucose syrup shed part of its load along a busy road.

Police called to the incident advised the truck’s owners that the gooey mess had to be cleaned up before the lorry could move on – so they called Lanes Group for help.

The incident happened on the A49 in Liverpool when a car in front of the truck braked suddenly, forcing the truck driver to brake sharply as well.

Plastic tubs containing around 100kg of glucose syrup fell into the road and broke open.

The truck driver realised there was a problem and pulled over safely into a layby off a slip road leading to an industrial estate.

Ian Clapham, Area Development Manager for Lanes Group’s Chester Depot, took the call from the company asking for help – and attended the incident himself.

He said: “Glucose syrup is inert and not chemically hazardous, but in large enough quantities it could be a skid hazard, and might have caused a blockage in the highway gullies.

“Our client was very proactive and keen to get it cleared up. Within little more than an hour of taking the call we had a JHL jet vac tanker on site.

“A police vehicle was positioned to funnel traffic away from the side of the road and we coned off the layby, ensuring we had a safe working environment.

“Our engineers blocked off the highway gullies with drain stoppers. They then washed down the truck and diluted the glucose on the carriageway with the jet vac hose.

“The closed-off section of gulley was then used as a catchpit to contain the liquid, where it was sucked up with the vacuumation hose.

“About 3,000 litres of water was used in the operation, which was then taken to a licenced waste site for disposal. The whole process took two hours.”

Ian added: “The police were pleased with the way both the client and ourselves responded quickly to the incident. You could say it was a sweet result.”