A PERMANENT barrier to safeguard drivers will be put on a motorway junction from where a number of cars have plunged into a nearby canal.

In the last few months, three cars have skidded off the sliproad at Junction 9 of the M53, in Ellesmere Port, into the Shropshire Union Canal just feet away.

Fortunately, no-one has been seriously injured, but the accidents have led to safety calls from residents and highways experts.

Now the Highways Agency, which says it is determined to prevent any further accidents, has installed a temporary barrier on the site, with a permanent one to follow.

An agency spokeswoman said: 'This access sliproad on to the M53 at Junction 9 has been the scene of a series of accidents this year.

'Routine tests of the sliproad surface have shown it to meet all highways safety standards.

'At this point there is only a wooden boundary fence.

'In the light of these recent accidents, however we have decided to install a permanent metal barrier. This will be installed in the near future.'

The first vehicle to plunge off the sliproad into the canal was driven by the Weir family back in July.

Their 4x4 Suzuki Grand Vitara left the road, rolled down an embankment into the canal and started to sink.

While dad Angus was knocked unconscious and mum Beryl was trapped, 12-year-old Cameron plucked their other two children to safety. None of the family were seriously hurt.

The following week, Mia Lindop, 18, and Chris Sayers, 19, were in a BMW that slid out of control. It went through a gap in the wooden fence which had not been repaired since the Weirs' accident, and ended up floating in the canal.

And on September 14, a Toyota driven by a man smashed through the gap and down into the canal basin.

Meanwhile, a highways safety expert from Wigan has drawn attention to what he claims is another serious safety hazard on the M53.

A few months ago the man, who prefers not to be named, said the Highways Agency should install a proper safety barrier on the Junction 9 sliproad.

This week he said: 'Earlier this year, a £500,000 lighting column replacement contract was undertaken at junction 11 of the M53 at Stanlow.

'And guess what was missing from the completion of the contract - safety fencing!

'I am in communication with the Highways Agency over this omission.'