Drivers are warned as workers walk fine line

Aug 14 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

THE deaths and injuries of roadworkers in Merseyside will increase unless motorway drivers slow down and concentrate more, industry experts are warning.

The Highways Agency is telling drivers to increase their awareness around Tarbock Island junction, near Whiston, and other roadwork sites in the region – or risk more workers being killed and injured due to driver error.

The junction, which links the M62 with the M57 and the A5300, is used by more than 113,000 vehicles a day – so precautions to protect people working on a £38m scheme to improve the road links there are imperative.

As part of Roadworker Safety Week, drivers on the road are being urged to keep to the 40mph speed limit, watch signs, keep a safe distance from other vehicles and to get in the correct lane in time.

The Highways Agency and road-workers hope the campaign will help prevent accidents at the junction – the most recent of which took place last Wednesday.

An HGV crashed into the central reservation, causing cars on the other side of the road to react. Workers behind a row of cones were inches away from being hit by a vehicle or debris from the crash.

In 2006, two roadworkers were killed and 19 seriously injured on England’s motorways and A-roads.

John Colasuono, construction manager for company Laing O’Rouke, who is currently overseeing work at Tarbock Island, has experienced the dangers of the job first hand.

He said: “I have worked on motorways for 20 years and have seen some very serious accidents.

“Guys have been run over by wayward vehicles and I have seen countless near- misses by just a few inches.

“One guy will probably never work again after a car lost control, came through some cones and hit him. He was pushed for 100 yards and knocked underneath a machine. The car came behind, trapping him there. It messed his life up and his family’s.

“Another guy was ran over by a lorry and died. It never gets any easier, and now I am in a position to send people out to the roads it is always in the back of my mind.”

It is hoped the scheme at Tarbock Island will reduce congestion, improve safety and boost economic regeneration on Merseyside, without putting workers in danger.

The improvements include a free-flow link road from the M57 to the M62 eastbound; free-flow link road from the M62 westbound to the M57; the realignment of the existing westbound entry slip road to the M62 and a new footbridge and cycleway across the M62 for pedestrians and cyclists.

Most of the construction work is being carried out on land alongside the existing roundabout and motorways and is expected to be completed in late 2008.

Roy Wood, area manager for the Highways Agency North West, said: “Our concern for the safety of road-workers has grown over the last few years.

“People need to concentrate and take the precautions seriously. These people work to improve our roads for the benefit of everyone.”

lizawilliams