Updated 23rd June 2014 Sammy Wilson also asked a similar question in the UK Parliament to the Transport Minister – question and reply are below.
Updated 20th June 2014 the question asked in the Northern Ireland Assembly by Sammy Wilson has been answered – see below.
He can only be described as a motorcycling MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In that respect Sammy Wilson from the DUP has asked a pertinent question to the Minister of the Department for Regional Development, (responsible for Roads Service and which maintains our roads).
On the 4th June 2014 Sammy Wilson asked the question:
“To (ask) the Minister for Regional Development whether his Department plans to install non-slip manhole covers in order to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents.
The question has been tabled and is still awaiting an answer.
Sammy does receive our articles and at Right To Ride and we take up his invite for the annual East Antrim DUP bike ride out.
Our latest article on covers was concerning the Riders Voice:
The Riders Voice has taken action to investigate the causes of accidents and to provide statistical analysis surrounding the whole highway defects problem via an on-line survey.
By submitting, anonymously, details of your accident, however large or small and regardless of the damage/injury caused, you will assist Riders Voice in lobbying for change, with statements that address the actual condition of our highways and with statistics that support the needs of decision makers, who in turn will hopefully bring about change.
Northern Ireland already has service covers that have been treated with a non-slip covering on the NW 200 course.
“Safety was the main topic when Preformed Markings assisted leading specialist highways contractor EMTEK in Northern Ireland, to provide anti-slip solutions to the many manhole covers that stretch along the NW200 Motorcycle Road Race track.”
We also have a full page of information on Manhole covers and as we state on the page, “Following the “It’s Not Rocket Science” theme, the following statement can not be argued against – metallic manhole or service covers, offer almost no traction, and are slippery when wet.”
We await with interest the reply from the minister and whether there will be any plans to install non-slip manhole covers in order to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents and whether there are any specifics on motorcycle accidents related to untreated/damaged/misplaced/worn out – service covers!
Links & Information
Northern Ireland Assembly – Written Question – Click Here
Riders Voice – Click Here
Preformed Markings NW200 – Click Here
Right To Ride – On Manhole Covers – Click Here
The answer to the written question was:
“All manhole covers installed on the public road network should meet the requirements of European Standard BS EN 124, which stipulates minimum standards for strength and skid resistance.
In addition, during the development of the Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy to 2020, it was recognised that motorcyclists have particular road safety issues that needed to be addressed.
One of these was riders sliding on wet and worn manhole covers.
A series of Action Measures has been developed targeting the motorcycling road user group.
Amongst these will be the development of a motorcycle strategy, being taken forward by the Department of the Environment, to investigate the issue of manhole covers and propose solutions in areas where this is a problem”
That then is where we come in, as sitting with others on the Motorcycle Safety Forum which is developing a motorcycle strategy for Northern Ireland.
Mr Robert Goodwill: There are various types of manhole covers on the market that have enhanced skid resistance. In addition, the Institude of Highways Engineers has produced guidance on locating manhole covers to reduce the risk to they pose to motorcyclists. As such, the Department currently has no plans to commission research on these issues.
However this would appear to be contrary to what the Riders Voice are saying, who have taken action to investigate the causes of accidents and to provide statistical analysis surrounding the whole highway defects problem via an on-line survey.
By submitting, anonymously, details of your accident, however large or small and regardless of the damage/injury caused, you will assist Riders Voice in lobbying for change, with statements that address the actual condition of our highways and with statistics that support the needs of decision makers, who in turn will hopefully bring about change.
Riders Voice on Right To Ride – Click Here
In response to the comments made by Robert below, maybe he should have asked his aide to investigate whether a review of the IHE guidance was currently in place, which it is. In this review, for example, the following statement in respect of in-situ covers is documented.
The recent “refresh” to the guidelines refers to ” application of anti-skid surfaces to covers that cannot be relocated. ” and includes the following,
7.3.14.4 Example 4: Premark® Retrofit Anti-skid
Norfolk County Council has introduced a retrofit intervention at locations where motorcycles are likely to be cornering or braking and are thus less stable. The Council’s dedicated motorcycling officer identified ‘high risk’ sites. Over 50 covers were then treated and the study concluded that Premark® Anti-Skid offered good value for money as part of other maintenance works.
I would therefore ask Mr Goodwill to review his comment and raise the issue with the appropriate people in order to consider a strategy for the improvement of highway assets, such as highway ironwork.