Department urged to repair ‘wholly unacceptable’ road

RESIDENTS have called on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to resurface the “wholly unacceptable” road between Creggan and Carrickmore.

One concerned local told the UlsterHerald that they are totally fed up with the current situation regarding the road, which is severely potholed and has broken apart and has led to a pricey car repair bill.

They said, “There was some repair work done to the Creggan road earlier this year. This has failed as this is the second time the new tar has sank creating a dip along the edge of the road pulling cars towards the ditch. This is the same story with numerous services trenches on the Whitebridge road which have sank but have not been repaired and are very damaging to cars.

“In terms of damage done to vehicles, I have recently had to spend £500 on getting repairs done on the suspension of my car as I use these roads daily and a month ago, a family member had to spend approx £350 on similar problems. Ordinary people having to spend this on repairs is frankly ridiculous.”

Local Sinn Fein Councillor Catherine Kelly, has said that she has brought up the topic of the road at both meetings and through correspondence with the department.

Cllr Kelly said, “I drive the Creggan to Carrickmore road daily myself and agree with constituents that the conditions are entirely unacceptable.The state of the road has been raised with the DfI constantly since I was elected both in letters and in person meetings.

“I have been informed that the road will not be considered in this financial year for resurfacing as there is no money to do it. A complete resurfacing is the only solution I see and the DfI needs to find the money urgently to do this.”

She added, “The conditions on this particular road, from Creggan crossroads to Carrickmore, are wholly unacceptable. The people using them deserve better.”

The Department for Infrastucture (DfI) has said delays to the roads resurfacing were due to procurement-related issues.

A spokesperson said, “Following legal challenges to the award of four asphalt resurfacing contracts, the tender process was terminated on these procurement competitions. The department is however currently working at pace to commence the roll out of new procurement competitions this month.

“The department continues to inspect roads routinely on a cyclical basis. Any defects identified during these inspections, which meet current intervention criteria levels will be scheduled for repair on a prioritised basis in accordance with the department’s current road maintenance standards.”

BY Thomas Maher

t.maher@ulsterherald.com