A Lurgan councillor has criticised DfI Roads for its “failure to deliver” in resurfacing a stretch of road in a Lurgan housing estate.
SDLP councillor Ciaran Toman said the Department for Infrastructure had given a commitment in 2021/22 to resurface 0.75 kilometres of carriageway in Dingwell Park and Ashdene Park in Taghnevan.
However, he has since been told that the scheme will not be completed during the current financial year and will be “considered” for inclusion in the 2023/24 resurfacing programme, with schemes undertaken being based on condition rather than in chronological order
The department first confirmed they would carry out the work when delivering their annual report to ABC Council in September 2021.
Councillor Toman said: “Prior to the announcement that this scheme was moving forward, I spent many years lobbying for this important work to be carried out. I have consistently called for investment in our community estates.
“As you can imagine, I was delighted to hear that resurfacing works were going to commence within the year following an extensive campaign to bring the roads back up to standard.
“In the interim period, I can fully sympathise with the department as they had many issues with the procurement competitions of resurfacing term contracts which meant schemes were put on hold.
“But after chasing on a commencement date for the Dingwell and Ashdene Park resurfacing scheme, I was informed by the divisional roads manager that the resurfacing scheme will not be completed during the current financial year and only considered for inclusion going forward.
“People in this community will be rightly disappointed that this long-awaited work has been abruptly cancelled.
“This way of operating calls into question the credibility of DfI when you clearly cannot rely on them to follow through on their commitments.
“The state of our roads is only getting worse, and I can only imagine the shape they
will be in when this work is finally carried out.”
He added: “Research carried out by Belfast-based firm CompareNI.com shows that the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon district council was the worst area in Northern Ireland for potholes, with 10,925 reported in 2022 – a 23 per cent increase from 2021.
“The deteriorating condition of many roads in Lurgan are becoming a more serious and more costly problem, meaning motorists are losing their no claims bonus to claim for repairs, which can increase insurance premiums for years to come.
“This latest excuse to renege on the Taghnevan resurfacing schemes won’t wash with people in this area.”
A departmental spokesperson said: “The department is completing the assessment of the tenders received for the current procurement competition for resurfacing contracts, which includes a contract for the Banbridge and Craigavon areas.
“It is anticipated that contracts will be awarded later this month, allowing contractors to commence resurfacing works in early spring. Expenditure on routine road maintenance has continued in the area through other contracts.”
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