A HAULAGE company which spilled animal blood along the B721 last week has issued an apology.
The vehicle, belonging to Alba Proteins, splashed the animal byproduct along a stretch of road from Dornock to Eastriggs after leaving Vivers Scotlamb Dornock sheep slaughterhouse.
It left a trail of red along the route last Thursday evening: the substance stained the road surface and an accompanying stench filled the air.
Some people took to social media to voice their complaints over the smell and also about the mess caused to the underside of cars.
The incident was reported to police and SEPA – the Scottish Environment Protection Agency – but both organisations said it was a matter for Dumfries and Galloway Council.
An Alba Proteins spokesman yesterday said: “Alba Proteins has serviced Vivers Scotlamb for many years without incident.
“We were made aware of the spillage by our haulage company and worked to commence clean up immediately.
“We have worked closely with Vivers Scotlamb to deal with all affected parties. We apologise to anyone affected by the incident.”
A Dumfries and Galloway Council spokesman added: “Following liaison with Police Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s trading standards and roads service teams were made aware of the spill of animal byproduct in the Dornock and Eastriggs areas.
“The roads were inspected by the roads service and trading standards service on Friday morning, August 16, then subsequently again that afternoon.
“The company responsible for the vehicle had already instigated the clean-up process prior to these inspections and subsequently no excess loose blood or animal byproduct remained on the roads.
“Our services are content with the work carried out to clean the roads and noted nothing more could have been done at that time.
“Our services will now finalise their investigations into this incident.”
Vivers Scotlamb were unavailable for comment.