TWO companies have been summoned to court in connection with a major chemical spill on the A26.

A section of the road near Uckfield was closed for several hours on March 21, 2020.

A quantity of sulphuric acid leaked from a punctured container being transported by a lorry, onto the carriageway and into nearby drains and river.

The road was made safe by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency while police assisted with the road closure.

A police investigation led to the company which owns the vehicle and the company that the driver worked for being summoned to court.

Industrial Chemical Group is accused of failing to conduct its undertaking in such a way to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that persons not in its employment who may have been affected thereby, were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Forest Freight Ltd is accused of failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees in that the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of its employees.

The case will be heard before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on October 21.