[John_Rambo]

Hi everyone. Does anyone know what the fenced pond beside the motorway near Fermoy is? It's on the left hand side as you travel South. The fence must be about nine foot high!

Thanks in advance.

[Redshift]

They have these at regular intervals along the M6 in Galway. I'm only guessing but i'd say they are there to hold rain water run off from the motorway.

[Victor]

Two functions:

1. In periods of heavy rainfall, the run-off from the road is stored in the pond and then gradually released, thereby reducing the risk of flash floods.
2. It can act as an interceptor in the event of a fuel or chemical spill.

[-Corkie-]

Originally Posted by Victor

Two functions:

1. In periods of heavy rainfall, the run-off from the road is stored in the pond and then gradually released, thereby reducing the risk of flash floods.
2. It can act as an interceptor in the event of a fuel or chemical spill.

Spot on Victor arent they called atuention ponds or something like that..

[John_Rambo]

Thanks everyone, why are they fenced? I initially thought they were duck ponds with mink protection, but it's a mad place for ducks (beside a motorway) and the high fencing would make landing pretty difficult for them. Fish farms with mink protection was another guess. Are the ponds very deep and the fencing is for safety? kids and drunks!

[Victor]

Yes. I imagine when it rains that they can fill quite quickly.

[gman2k]

Originally Posted by John_Rambo

..why are they fenced?

To keep children and livestock out to prevent drownings.