SDLP Fairer Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has expressed serious concern around the state of Northern Ireland’s road network.
Earlier this week, the Department for Infrastructure received a £62.4m allocation as part of the October Monitoring Round, but it remains unclear how much of that will be directed towards road maintenance.
At last week’s meeting of the Infrastructure Committee, members were advised that the road network faced the biggest funding crisis in over 25 years.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The picture for our roads is frightening and the forecast is even worse.
“There has been a massive deterioration in our roads over the past few years, potholes have become all too common, with the same places requiring repair again and again and budgetary pressures leading to temporary rather than permanent solutions.
“DfI’s budget has been hampered by the absence of an Executive and critically, the lack of monitoring rounds at Stormont on which it has always depended.
“It will come as no surprise to many within my constituency, that Derry has among the highest number of registered potholes in the North.
“Recently a constituent quipped that we used to drive on the left of the road, now we drive on what’s left of the road.
“The department can’t deliver within their current budget which has left it unable to carry out basic structural maintenance functions and puts public safety at risk.
“Our crumbling roads are just a very visible microcosm of the wider deterioration of public services after so many years of austerity and failed leadership.
“There needs to be a conscious effort not only to increase funding but to review existing repair policy within DfI Roads to ensure money is spent strategically.
“The SDLP Opposition remains committed to pushing for road maintenance to be a top priority and will advocate for policy reforms to steer away from the current penny-wise, pound foolish approach which not only affects the quality and longevity of road repairs, but makes life difficult for our dedicated DfI Roads staff, who are repeatedly called back to address the same problem areas.”
