Cars covered in 'tar' after A6 resurfacing issue in Cumbria

Westmorland and Furness Council closed a section of the A6 between Levens and Milnthorpe last Friday after the surfacing material laid by contractor Keily Bros had 'unexpectedly not cured due to technical factors.' 

Matthew Reedman, a 38-year-old Carnforth resident, had been looking after his friend's car while she was on holiday, planning to pick her up from the airport in it. To make matters worse, the car was leased and due to be handed back shortly after she got back to the UK.

The damage done to Adam Houghton's van, with the 'tar' particularly visible on the plastics and trims (Image: Adam Houghton)

Mr Reedman drove the car over the section of road at around 10.30pm on Thursday, July 18. When he got home, he heard his neighbours talking about their car after driving the same way: "It was a complete state. What damage has been done underneath?"

He ran his finger down the back of the car and discovered that he faced the same issue. He said he 'needs to get it sorted' before it goes back. 

Anna White found her white car with black stains on it when she got home (Image: Anna White)

Anna White, a Milnthorpe resident, got home at 8.55pm meaning that she used the road a few minutes before arriving. 

"The road looked wet," she said. Mrs White said there were cars coming in the other direction as she made her way to Milnthorpe.

She described her car as 'absolutely covered in tar.' "I was out until dark trying to remove it," she said. "Luckily I do have tar removal." She said she had called a valeting company, and expected it to cost hundreds of pounds to get it off properly. 

The 'tar' streaked down the back of this Mercedes (Image: Matthew Reedman)

A spokesperson from the council said the road closed on the Friday because of 'an issue with the material laid by our surface dressing contractor, Kiely Bros, as a part of recent works on this route.' 

They added: “The surfacing material has unexpectedly not cured due to technical factors causing damage to vehicles that have driven through it.

“As an emergency measure, our highways service enforced a full road closure on the impacted stretch of road as soon as we were made aware. 

It also coated the alloy (Image: Matthew Reedman)

"On behalf Kiely Bros, we apologise for the damage and inconvenience that has been caused for our road users."

“Those impacted can direct claims to cumbria@kielybros.co.uk.”