Work on repairing the pothole-plagued pathway to the Palace in Armagh is expected to get underway in October.
The confirmation came as one local representative asked where he should forward the repair bill for his latest flat tyre.
DUP Alderman Mark Baxter hit out at the state of the road up to the Palace and said something urgently needed to be done ahead of this year’s Georgian Festival.
He reacted to the welcome news that ABC Council had secured an additional £30,000 from Tourism NI towards the annual Georgian showcase at the end of November, which was confirmed in a report by Brian Johnston, Head of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
But Alderman Baxter, speaking at September’s economic development and regeneration committee, asked if there was any of that money that could be directed towards the potholes at the Palace.
“We give off here to DfI on a regular basis about potholes in the borough, but that road going up to the Palace is probably one of the worst in the borough, and I think council are responsible for that,” said Alderman Baxter.
“I don’t know what the story is about getting that fixed but that’s horrendous. I don’t know where to send my bill for my latest flat tyre; I don’t know whether to send it to you, Brian, or whoever, but it’s certainly coming to council anyway.”
Alderman Baxter asked if “anybody knows anything about it” because repairs were long overdue.
Councillor Kyle Savage, chairing the committee, said the concerns could be passed to the head of estates to look into.
But Alderman Baxter responded: “I’m sure there’s somebody here would know too. Surely it’s been talked about. Surely it’s very high up the agenda.
“If we’re talking about tourism and bringing tourists into the Georgian Festival in Armagh, I wouldn’t fancy driving a horse and cart up the mall into the Palace. There’ll be cartwheels all over the show.”
The committee chair said he “totally agreed”.
When serving as Deputy Lord Mayor in recent years, potholes were an issue then.
And Councillor Savage added: “I was up there a few weeks back and the same potholes are still there, so that’s not good enough.”
He again said he would pass the issue to the head of estates for feedback.
SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon, however, said he had flagged the Palace potholes on multiple occasions in the past and had now been advised “contractors are due on site in October, six months after it was first raised”.
