Menu
23/01/2018
Drivers Receive Almost £500,000 Compensation For Potholes
Almost £500,000 has been paid out in compensation to drivers of vehicles damaged by potholes in the last two years, according to figures from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).
A total of 1,935 vehicle damage claims led to compensation payments of £495,358, between January 2016 and November 2017.
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said rural roads in particular were identified as being at risk.
She said: "Unfortunately, with the projections for budgets being as they are, instead of seeing the multi-million-pound investment in our roads which is needed, we will be lucky if we get a fraction of that. This is a consequence of protecting health and education among other areas, as well as having different priorities from the block grant.
"There has been talk of turning off all the street lights in a few years because there we simply won't be able to afford to keep them on. So if that is the case, unfortunately most rural roads can be forgotten about, as main trunk roads and urban to urban roads will then be prioritised."
SDLP Roads spokesperson Sinead Bradley MLA said: "As maintenance budgets fall in the absence of Ministerial guidance, compensation claims are through the roof, bleeding resources that could be invested in infrastructure upgrades.
"The Department for Infrastructure has told me that they are now operating on a reduced maintenance service. What this means in practice for road users is that the depth for repairing potholes on roads with a lower traffic flow has doubled to 4 inches. That means cars will have to navigate ankle deep craters before anything is done about it.
"There's a real issue of road safety here. If something isn’t done, the potholes will get bigger and the compensation claims will increase. There needs to be direct Ministerial guidance that can only be provided by a functioning government."
(CD/MH)
A total of 1,935 vehicle damage claims led to compensation payments of £495,358, between January 2016 and November 2017.
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said rural roads in particular were identified as being at risk.
She said: "Unfortunately, with the projections for budgets being as they are, instead of seeing the multi-million-pound investment in our roads which is needed, we will be lucky if we get a fraction of that. This is a consequence of protecting health and education among other areas, as well as having different priorities from the block grant.
"There has been talk of turning off all the street lights in a few years because there we simply won't be able to afford to keep them on. So if that is the case, unfortunately most rural roads can be forgotten about, as main trunk roads and urban to urban roads will then be prioritised."
SDLP Roads spokesperson Sinead Bradley MLA said: "As maintenance budgets fall in the absence of Ministerial guidance, compensation claims are through the roof, bleeding resources that could be invested in infrastructure upgrades.
"The Department for Infrastructure has told me that they are now operating on a reduced maintenance service. What this means in practice for road users is that the depth for repairing potholes on roads with a lower traffic flow has doubled to 4 inches. That means cars will have to navigate ankle deep craters before anything is done about it.
"There's a real issue of road safety here. If something isn’t done, the potholes will get bigger and the compensation claims will increase. There needs to be direct Ministerial guidance that can only be provided by a functioning government."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 December 2003
Local roads get record £80m spend
A record £80 million will be spent on structural roads maintenance this year across Northern Ireland. The figure was revealed by Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt as he presented DRD Roads Service’s autumn report to Newtownabbey Borough Council. Mr McCourt said: "This is a huge increase in investment over previous years.
Local roads get record £80m spend
A record £80 million will be spent on structural roads maintenance this year across Northern Ireland. The figure was revealed by Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt as he presented DRD Roads Service’s autumn report to Newtownabbey Borough Council. Mr McCourt said: "This is a huge increase in investment over previous years.
19 November 2024
Justice Minister Announces Additional Funding For Department
Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the allocation of an additional £39.3 million to the Department of Justice following the October Monitoring Round. This funding will be used to address various pressures within the justice system, including those arising from the civil disorder during the summer.
Justice Minister Announces Additional Funding For Department
Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the allocation of an additional £39.3 million to the Department of Justice following the October Monitoring Round. This funding will be used to address various pressures within the justice system, including those arising from the civil disorder during the summer.
09 May 2006
Roads Service to spend £6M on improvements
The Roads Service is to invest £4 million into the Armagh district and £2 million in the Newtownabbey area over the next twelve months, it has been revealed today.
Roads Service to spend £6M on improvements
The Roads Service is to invest £4 million into the Armagh district and £2 million in the Newtownabbey area over the next twelve months, it has been revealed today.
26 January 2004
Roads Service prepared to deal with snowfalls
Prepared to deal with heavy snowfalls, the DRD Roads Service in Northern Ireland have been on special alert since Sunday, following an advanced warning of possible snow from the Meteorological Office.
Roads Service prepared to deal with snowfalls
Prepared to deal with heavy snowfalls, the DRD Roads Service in Northern Ireland have been on special alert since Sunday, following an advanced warning of possible snow from the Meteorological Office.
27 October 2011
SDLP Man Slams Reduced Roads' Funding
An SDLP MLA has expressed his concern after a reduced amount of money will be allocated by to structural roads maintenance after the October Monitoring Round allocations. West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne was speaking after this week's news that the Northern Ireland Executive had received an extra £22m from the Treasury.
SDLP Man Slams Reduced Roads' Funding
An SDLP MLA has expressed his concern after a reduced amount of money will be allocated by to structural roads maintenance after the October Monitoring Round allocations. West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne was speaking after this week's news that the Northern Ireland Executive had received an extra £22m from the Treasury.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
