National Highways has revealed that the North West tops the list for dumped or fallen loads on England’s motorways and major A roads, with nearly 10,000 abandoned or fallen objects retrieved in the first nine months of the year.
From an abandoned boat on the A42 to a fairground ride discovered off the M180, traffic officers have faced a growing challenge in clearing dangerous obstructions from high-speed routes. Between 1 January and 30 September, National Highways teams collected more than 49,000 items nationwide – the equivalent of around 180 objects every single day.
North West leads the country in roadside debris
With 9,795 items retrieved, the North West recorded the highest number of dumped objects or poorly secured loads, mirroring the national trend and placing the region ahead of all others for roadside debris incidents.
National Highways is urging drivers to secure their loads correctly and avoid using road verges as dumping grounds. Officers often need to close lanes or entire carriageways to remove hazardous items, creating delays and safety risks for motorists.
Unusual finds: abandoned boat and fairground ride
The most striking discoveries this year include:
A boat dumped at the side of the A42 near Measham, Leicestershire
A fairground ride found in a verge beside the M180 near Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
These are among thousands of potentially dangerous obstructions removed by traffic officers nationwide.
National Highways issues safety warning
Lisa Scott, Regional Safety Programme Manager at National Highways, said:
“The boat is a strange one, but whether it’s old furniture left in a verge or a poorly secured load falling into the path of drivers, there are far too many incidents of this kind on our motorways and major A roads.
These items put drivers at risk, and retrieving them often means closing lanes. Our message is simple: dispose of unwanted items properly and secure your loads before setting off. Doing so prevents collisions and stops dangerous objects from blighting our road network.”
Most common items found on England’s roads
National Highways’ data shows the most frequently collected objects in 2025 North West Tops UK for Dumped or Fallen Loads, National Highways Revealsinclude:
9,685 building and construction materials
Vehicle parts, accessories and tyres
3,575 household or garden items
3,087 animal fatalities
797 abandoned vehicles
Numerous large items including sofas, storage containers, Christmas trees and bicycles
These shed loads and dumped objects create significant risk for road users and place additional pressure on emergency clearance teams.
