Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Mark Baxter who says he has never seen rural roads in such a bad state of disrepair.
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"I don’t think I’ve ever seen them in such a poor state of repair. I know the staff in the department are doing what they can with the limited resources available but I call on permanent secretary to step in and try and sort this mess out.
"However I do welcome the news that this long lobbied for stretch of the Clare Road close to Waringstown is now on the schedule to be resurfaced. While no firm date has been given I’m glad that it’s at least earmarked for repair.
"I’ll continue to lobby government and the department to sort out our road ways,” said the DUP Cllr.
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “There has been historical under-investment in the maintenance of the road network for many years resulting in the deterioration we are now experiencing. More recently because of budget cuts the Department has had to reduce its routine maintenance activities to a ‘limited service’ which prioritises delivery of essential services for maintaining public safety. Consequently, only the highest priority defects across the road network are currently being repaired. Regular inspections of the road network are continuing and defects which meet the intervention level will be taken forward for repair.
“The Clare road in Waringstown will be considered for inclusion in future resurfacing programmes which are currently being prepared by the Department and will be presented to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council in due course. The timing of works will be subject to budget availability and prioritisation against the many other locations in similar or worse condition.
As additional background, it was revealed by the DfI: “Generally, well maintained roads in good condition suffer little damage from severe weather. But, where the surface is ageing, or has been damaged by excavation and reinstatement, water can penetrate into small cracks and other defects in the surface. When the water freezes (often overnight) it expands, opening up the cracks. During daytime thaws the ice melts and more water seeps in, before the next freeze. Repeated freeze thaw cycles gradually open cracks and create cavities and the surface deteriorates very quickly. Traffic soon displaces the loose aggregate and potholes form.”
