Fairground ride among the most bizarre things found dumped along…

Hull Daily Mail Icon News Local News Transport ‘You don’t expect to find Mickey Mouse down a banking’ A fairground ride abandoned at the side of a Humber-region motorway was one of the most unusual items found dumped on or near roads by traffic officers this year. National Highways says more than 49,000 objects were collected by its teams from motorways and major A roads around the country between January 1 and September 30. Though the M6 and M1 were the most affected roads nationally, with almost 11,000 incidents between them, the M180 in North Lincolnshire was the place one of the most bizarre finds was made. Found on a verge in November near Scunthorpe, the fairground ride was spotted when Mickey Mouse’s ears were seen poking out behind some trees. Andrew Richards, the traffic officer who found the ride, said: “Earlier in the year, my wife and I had been to Disney World and I thought I was either having flashbacks of meeting Mickey or he’s followed me when I spotted his grin and ears peeping out behind the trees! You don’t expect to find Mickey Mouse down a banking off the M180!” Across the country, most of the items picked up by National Highways this year were building or construction materials with 9,685 found in total, followed by vehicle parts or accessories and tyres. Other items officers dealt with over the same period include 3,575 household or garden items, 3,087 animal fatalities and 797 abandoned vehicles. A sofa, storage container, Christmas trees and bikes are among other obstructions and shed loads rescued by traffic officers directly from the carriageways. Further south, an abandoned boat was spotted far from open water on the side of the A42 near Measham, Leicestershire in July. Drivers are being urged to not use the roadside as a “dumping ground” and to ensure loads are safely secured. Nicola Clayton, regional safety programme manager at National Highways, said: “National Highways traffic officers often have to close lanes or carriageways to remove large items and experience first-hand the negative impact obstructions can have on drivers and their safety.” Top 10 roads for obstructions – Jan 1 to Sep 30, 2025 Rank Road name Number of incidents % number of incidents M6 5,605 11.40% M1 5,175 10.50% M25 3,626 7.40% M5 3,559 7.20% M62 2,647 5.40% M4 2,465 5.00% A1/M 2,043 4.20% M40 1,483 3.00% M60 1,477 3.00% M3 1,259 2.60% …
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