Manhole covers vanish as scrap value soars
Fresh dangers from callous thieves putting our lives at risk
Dozens of manhole covers were stolen from roads on the Oxfordshire-Berkshire border in a single night in January. Twenty-eight covers were taken from the A4155 between Henley-on-Thames and Reading, and almost 20 from the A4074, between Ipsden & Woodcote. Thames Valley police believe a white Ford
Transit van seen in the area may be connected to the thefts. They say the covers were probably taken for scrap metal as quality cast-iron can sell for £100 a ton in the current economic climate. The police place traffic cones in the affected areas to warn road users until the covers are replaced.
Many thefts do not make the news, but in April police in Essex were urging all road users to be careful after the theft of 59 manhole covers in Maldon and its surroundings in Essex. Only a month earlier a rash of manhole cover thefts hit Swindon. Forty covers were stolen in a week and again, Wiltshire Police said the metal discs were presumed to have been stolen and sold as scrap.
The desirability of iron covers to thieves is something MAG and the GET A GRIP!
campaign have been highlighting. Apart from the safety angle, the theft of these covers represents a significant loss to the public purse. Thefts in the first three months of 2010 cost Swindon Borough Council £15,000 in replacement costs. Swindon Council spokesman Richard Freeman said the thieves looked plausible, because they were wearing high- visibility jackets and using work vans. These thefts are the latest in a raft of access cover thefts which are providing increasing impetus to the GET A GRIP! campaign that is growing into a potent force. The theft of iron manhole covers serves to demonstrate the threat that iron covers represent for motorcyclists, whether in situ or when absent!
The absurdity of this situation is that if all councils and utility companies were to fit non- slip, composite manhole covers, the theft problem would evaporate.
Composite covers provide consistent grip levels for bikers as the entire thickness of the material from which they are made is permeated with elements which guarantee grip, so wearing over time is not a problem. MAG Campaigns Manager Paddy Tyson said:
“MAG is urging all riders to make their local authorities and utility companies aware that cost and life saving replacement products are available. We are looking at a win win for financial savings and safety, let’s act now before someone gets killed.”
Members who wish to become involved directly in this campaign should go to the website to learn how.
www.getagripuk.org
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