Rubbish road: bin lorry sinks as Tarmac melts
A DUSTCART became stuck in Berkshire as roads across the country melted in the heatwave.
Old Bath Road in Newbury was blocked after the truck’s back wheels sank into the road surface, as the mercury climbed above 30C (86F) in some parts of the UK. The crew were thrown forward when the lorry lurched to a halt as the road collapsed under it.
The incident caused traffic problems in Newbury’s town centre on Thursday as drivers tried to find ways around the unusual blockage.
Temperatures are set to be at their highest point this year in parts of London and the South East – and councils have called out gritting lorries to spread crushed rock dust on melting tar to create non-stick surfaces after roads melted in parts of England.
Fire crews were also called out after a man got stuck in a sinkhole in Heaton, Newcastle, when the road melted beneath him.
A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in relation to a moorland blaze. Lancashire Police said the man, from Wigan, was arrested yesterday morning by police investigating the fire on Winter Hill, near Bolton.
The man was later released under investigation.