CALLS have been made to address problems with surface water on East Lancashire’s roads following yesterday’s wet weather.

Yesterday, commuters suffered long delays after an accident on the M65 occured during heavy downpours.

Concerns have also been raised about other sections of the motorway and A56 which yesterday had areas of standing water.

The accident happened at around 7.30am between junctions seven and eight heading west, when one car, a red Vauxhall Astra, spun after hitting central reservation, and ended up in the carriageway facing wrong way.

Several cars swerved to avoid the accident, but seven vehicles in total were involved in collisions. The exact cause of the crash is now being investigated.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were called to the scene, but there were no reports of serious injury.

Kimberley Hall, 30, who lives in Burnley and works in Blackburn, drives on the region’s motorways every day.

She crashed on the M65 in wet conditions two years ago and said that more needs to be done to stop accidents from happening in the area.

Kimberley said: “My accident was westbound between junctions seven and six.

“One minute I was going along the motorway at around 68 miles per hour, and the next thing I was spinning around and hit the central reservation.

“I think that stretch of it is different tarmac and the bit where I crashed is a bit of a dip and the water gathers in the dip.

“It definitely contributed to it, and I had to pay because there was no-one else involved so it went down as an at fault claim.

“I drive that way to work and pass that bit every day and always see accidents in that area.

“I definitely think it needs to be looked at.”

The Highways Agency was asked whether there were problems with drainage or tarmac in the area, whether it had received any complaints from people, and whether any remedial action was being taken, but was yesterday unable to provide the information.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: “The Highways Agency has a rigorous drainage inspection and cleaning programme across the network, but wet weather can create challenging road conditions, making it necessary to take extra care.

“In sudden downpours it will take time for drainage systems to clear water from the carriageway and when the road is wet is can take twice as long to stop, so drivers should slow down and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front allowing extra braking time for coping with spray and surface water.”