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County Council urged to tackle flooding on M65
Published: Thursday, 19th December 2019
Pendle Council is urging Lancashire County Council to tackle the hazardous problem of flooding between junctions 12 and 14 of the M65 between Brierfield and Colne in East Lancashire.
Leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal said:
“The safety of motorists is at risk and the dangers are greater at night!”
The warning comes after prolonged rainfall has again seen parts of the M65 flooded with standing water in the overtaking lanes.
“Motorists have been ploughing into standing water at high speed and we have been flagging this hazard up repeatedly with Lancashire County Council.
“I have heard that cars have been aquaplaning.
"And spray from cars and lorries is an additional hazard which is also affecting visibility for drivers on the opposite carriageway,” explained Councillor Iqbal.
“I’ve seen dashcam footage which shows this happening and it is alarming!
“Motorists are understandably really worried about the situation and action needs to be taken.
“I have written to Lancashire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Keith Iddon, spelling out the dangers again.
“I’ve repeated our fears that there is a substantial risk of serious injury or death,” he stated.
Councillor Iqbal’s letter to Lancashire County Council is asking for:
• A full investigation of the drainage along this part of the M65
• Any necessary action to be taken to improve drainage on this part of the motorway
• Regular inspections by Lancashire County Council’s Highways Team to clean and maintain drainage channels so that rainwater flows away quickly – avoiding any standing water.
“I am not alone in worrying that there may be a fundamental design issue with the central reservation barrier that is causing these problems,” he added.
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