Lives at risk as thieves steal drain covers

Dangerous holes were left in Cortworth Lane, between Nether Haugh and Wentworth, after scrap metal thieves struck.

Officials from Rotherham Borough Council’s Streetpride department moved quickly to cover the drain shafts with concrete slabs and traffic cones but many motorists were still forced to move onto the wrong side of the road to negotiate the problem along the 60mph stretch.

George Wellings, from the Rotherham Branch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “The people who are stealing these grates are doing so to make a quick buck from their scrap metal value but the cost could quite easily be somebody’s life.

“Motorists have to keep their eyes out for enough obstacles in the modern world without people deliberately leaving huge holes in the road through reckless acts of theft.

“These people have no regard for the safety of others. It’s a disgusting crime.”

A council spokeswoman did not indicate the cost of replacing the drain covers on Cortworth Lane but said that replacement items were set in place by Tuesday.

Previous figures provided to the Advertiser have indicated that a standard drain cover would cost the authority in the region of £120.

Echoing the sentiments of the Rotherham IAM member, the council spokeswoman added: “There is not only a cost implication to this kind of crime but a huge safety implication.

“We would urge anyone who witnesses the suspected theft of drain covers to contact the police or Streetpride or the police immediately.”

Mr Wellings, meanwhile, urged motorists to try to focus their attention further along the road to give them time to react to potential hazard like missing drains covers.

He said: “These aren’t the sorts of hazards that people should have to worry about, but giving yourself time to react to potential obstacles is the key to safe driving.”

Anyone with information about drain cover thefts should contact police on 0114 220 2020 or Streetpride on 01709 336003.