Transport NI under fire over time taken to repair potholes

by
Micheal McKenna
February 26, 2015

Transport NI are to be taken to task over the time taken to repair potholes.

With winter weather conditions of late having left many roads in a sorry state, Armagh City and District Council is demanding action.

The issue of the state of local roads was raised at this month’s meeting of the council’s public services committee by SDLP Councillor Eamon McNeill, who said some in the city were in a “poor condition”, particularly around the Mall and at the bottom of the Newry Road.

Council Chief Executive John Briggs said sewer upgrade works and other route improvements would hopefully result in full resurfacing works.

SDLP Councillor Sharon Haughey-Grimley then asked that Transport NI be requested to repair the “very large potholes on the Newtownhamilton Road as soon as possible”.

She said it was a major local road and also a north-south route and it was imperative that repairs being carried out.

It was DUP Councillor Lavelle McIlwrath who hit out at the times involved in getting work done.

He explained that, when potholes are reported, is takes approximately three weeks from them being marked by Transport NI until they are repaired.

Councillor MCIlwrath also said vehicles were being damaged by road conditions and, as Transport NI had received increased funding recently, it could “respond to requests more quickly and should be asked to repair potholes as soon as possible”.

It was suggested by SDLP Councillor Mealla Campbell that they should submit details of the worst affected areas to the Democratic Services Officer so that “priority areas could be identified to Transport NI”.

The council agreed to raise concerns directly in Transport NI by writing.

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