Aquaplaning issues on M6 motorway to be examined

A review of a stretch of the M6 motorway in south Roscommon which it has been claimed has been the subject of a significant number of incidents due to surface water lying on the road is to be carried out by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

News of the review, which was given to members of the Athlone Municipal District of Roscommon County Council at their September monthly meeting, has been warmly welcomed by Cllr John Naughten, who first raised the issue at the May meeting.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, Cllr Naughten said motorists travelling on the stretch of M6 motorway between the Kilbegley overbridge and Junction 14 are being confronted with “significant amounts of water” lying on the road during heavy rainfall due to “a dip” in the road surface.

“There is a constant danger of cars aquaplaning during wet weather,” he said, “and motorists using this road and driving at the motorway speed would expect the road surface to be in a good and safe condition.”

When he first raised the issue at the May meeting of the Municipal District, Cllr Naughten claimed there had been “a significant number of incidents” on the short stretch of M6 motorway between the Kilbegley overbridge and Junction 14 as a result of surface water lying on the road.

Referring to the dangers of cars “aquaplaning” on the surface water during heavy rainfall, Cllr Naughen said it was “of critical urgency” that the issue be addressed in an effort to avoid a fatality.

“There seems to be a significant amount of water holding on this stretch of road at Junction 14 in both the east and westbound direction when we get heavy rain,” said the Fine Gael councillor, “so either the drainage system is not adequate or there is not enough gradient, but either way it needs to be investigated as it is posing a serious hazard for motorists using this road.”

While he was unable to provide detailed information to the May meeting about the number of accidents which have occurred at the particular location, Cllr Naughten said that, from speaking with local people in the area and “analysing the data” relating to accidents and “near misses” he is aware of a “significant number of incidents” on the road in question.

Cllr Naughten received the support of his colleagues in calling for a review to be undertaken of the number of accidents on the stretch of motorway, and the May meeting agreed to send an urgent letter to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) requesting them to undertake a review of the number of accidents which have taken place over the last three years on the M6 motorway between Kilbegley overbridge and Junction 14.

The local Fine Gael Cllr again raised the issue at the September meeting when he questioned whether any response had been received by Roscommon County Council from TII.

He was told that a response had been received from TII on June 13 last, in which it stated it was “committed to review the location, with particular regard to aquaplaning issues.”

Cllr Naughten described the response as “good news” but added he would be looking to see “action being taken” to address what is “an immediate danger to motorists, particularly in the run-up to the dark and wet winter weather.”