Roads Service under pressure

Councillors were given a presentation by Roads Service officials at their most recent meeting.

Officials from the road authority outlined plans and objectives for the year ahead and on work completed in the past year.

Principal engineer for the southern division Reynold Nicholson said there was a severe pressure on budget and delivery of projects could change.

There were around 120 call-outs this year during the winter to grit the road, using over 25,000 tonnes of salt at a cost of 19,500 per call-out.

Reynold said: "To give you an idea of the struggle, we spend 55 per tonne of asphalt and it is expected to last 10 years.

"Whereas we spend 25 per tonne of salt and it is expected to last 24 hours."

As a result of the winter the Roads Service's spent almost 1million more than anticipated.

Alderman Stephen Moutray said: "The Roads Service owned car park on Church Walk was not gritted during the winter.

"There would be around 100 cars using this on a Sunday and one elderly gentleman was injured after a fall and has still to make a full recovery.

"I would ask the Roads Service to reconsider its policy and grit its car parks."

He also asked the officials about problems with double parking in Lurgan town centre.

Mr Nicholson said: "I will see if the police will be reconsidered, but the priority would be the roads.

"And I will take your comments to the parking attendant supervisor for Lurgan."

Traffic calming schemes and resurfacing projects were also announced as part of the work programme for the coming year.

Traffic calming measures are to be put in place on the Ballynamoney Road, Mill Hill, Waringstown and Toberhewny Lane Lower.

Resurfacing is also scheduled for Brownlow Terrace, Lake Street and Taghnevan Drive.

A mini-roundabout has also been proposed for the junction of Windsor Avenue and Castle Lane and a pelican crossing in Dollingstown.

Mr Nicholson said he hoped most of the work planned would be completed in the coming year, however, he stressed that the budget had not been finalised and the plans could change.