Motorists on the N9 at Powerstown are attributing a design fault to the frequency of articulated lorries turning over on the road. Another driver — the fifth this year — had a narrow escape on Tuesday morning when his timber haulage truck, transporting bark mulch, turned over on its side as he navigated the double roundabout on the stretch of road that forms the soft ending of the first section of the €216.5 million Dublin to Waterford/Carlow bypass.
The driver, from Bill Deacon Timber hauliers, suffered cuts to his arms and face and extensive bruising and was lucky to escape with his life.
The massive lorry turned over on its left side and was only halted by a security barrier on the edge of the road.
Local councillor Jim Townsend said the need for safety measures was now urgent. Cllr Townsend, who has responsibility for the area, said he was going to the council to ask for signs to be placed on the motorway warning motorists of the danger spot. “There must be some reason for this to happen, maybe if there were signs like that at least the drivers would know to exercise caution,” he said.
Though some locals say speed may be a factor in some accidents, others attribute the problem to a camber. A camber on a road refers to any road that tilts on the same side that a vehicle leans to on a road. This would naturally tilt a heavy vehicle towards the edge of the road and could cause them to overturn. The section of roadway with the double roundabout at Powerstown does have a camber on the side coming from the Carlow direction.
The National Roads Authority, that has responsibility for the road, was unavailable for comment on the safety of the road.
