Written question asked by Andrew Bennett (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 February 2005. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made in discovering the reasons for flooding on the M60 between Denton and Hollingwood, Oldham.

Answer: Andrew Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in discovering the reasons for flooding on the M60 between Denton and Hollingwood, Oldham. [216516] Mr. Jamieson: The surface water problems that occur at specific areas on the M60 result from a combination of wide carriageways and the road alignment and crossfall. These cause rainwater to have a long and slow path off the carriageway to the drains, resulting in the formation of a continuous water film on the road surface in heavy rain. The design of the motorway complied with the Highways Agency's standards current at the time of its design. Changes in drainage design guidance to deal with wide carriageways were subsequently issued by the Agency in 1999. Remedial overnight works to reduce surface water on the section of the motorway between Junction 24 at Denton and the Medlock River, south of Junction 22, are planned for spring/summer 2005. Further assessment is being carried out on the section between the Medlock River and Junction 19, following which the necessary remedial works will be undertaken.

Secondary information