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Poor drainage issues on a section of the M8 is leading to fire fighters being called out at least once a week to clear single vehicle road accidents. Photo: 123RF

With the current bout of bad weather, flooding and wet road conditions, fire fighters are being called out to the M8 at least once a week to clear single vehicle road accidents, due to the poor drainage issues on the stretch of motorway between Mitchelstown and Cahir.

In light of recent accidents, Independent TD Mattie McGrath is calling on the Road Safety Authority to investigate dangerous levels of water pooling on the M8, south of Cahir.

Deputy McGrath said that any motorist who travels that road regularly will be aware of safety concerns, particularly at times of heavy rainfall.

“The threats to safety are clearly caused by very poor levels of drainage, which build up over time and become a serious hazard," he explained.

A spokesperson for Mitchelstown Fire Brigade told The Avondhu that there is certainly a problem with drainage in the area and that they regularly attend to accidents on that section of the M8, particularly when the road is wet, as parts of the road become water logged.

"It is simply unacceptable that RoadBridge who initially constructed the motorway can be allowed to walk away from their evident responsibility in this matter. I am aware that they had a level of responsibility for 12 months or so after the construction was completed but that should not mean that no further responsibilities can be attributed to them given the obvious defects that have arisen after that year was up," the Tipperary TD said.

He added that the fact that there is a sign on the M8 North of Cahir indicating problems with water build up shows that there is awareness of this problem for some time, but nothing has happened to remedy it.

Speaking on behalf of Mitchelstown Fire Brigade, a fire fighter said that there are speed restrictions in place and a flashing sign to tell people to slow down in wet weather, but they are still going out to single vehicle accidents, where cars have turned over.

"I have been in constant contact with Mr Peter Britton, Senior Roads Engineer in South Tipperary County Council regarding this very matter. I respect that Mr Britton has a difficult job to do and I commend him for the work he has done to date, but we need more that surveys of the road at this stage.

"I will be making direct and strong representations to the Road Safety Authority to immediately investigate this issue before a serious loss of life occurs. I will also be calling on the Minister for Transport to assess what he can do to put pressure on RoadBridge to go back and finish the work they began several years ago,” concluded Deputy McGrath.

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