THE “need for significant roadworks across South Down” has been highlighted at Stormont.
Last Tuesday (3 December), an adjournment debate on this issue was tabled in the Assembly by local DUP MLA Diane Forsythe.
Beginning the discussion, the local representative stressed that “South Down is a predominantly rural constituency, and our roads are our critical infrastructure”.
“In their current state, they are failing the people of South Down,” she continued.
“Since being elected, I have relentlessly campaigned for significant road improvements across my constituency.
“With no railway infrastructure and poor bus links, our roads are essential for our connectivity.”
Ms Forsythe cited the need for significant works across the area she represents and cited the A2 from Kilkeel to Newcastle – which she described as being “in a terrible state” – as one such example.
“Earlier this year, I asked the minister about that issue,” she stated.
“Initially, there was no money for it, but I am grateful that he was able to secure some for a small 1.4km stretch of road.
“However, that is far from the worst part of the road, and I ask you to please support the continued resurfacing out of Kilkeel, past Council Road towards Newcastle, as it is currently like a train track that no vehicle could run on.
“Motorbikes and cyclists face incredibly dangerous conditions, and it is an issue of constant complaint to my office.
“Mourne needs investment in the improvement of the roads.
“This is the Mourne coastal route, and it should be a tourist attraction, with people out enjoying their drive.
“We need the infrastructure to support that.”
Concluding, the MLA called on the minister to “commit to delivering more in South Down and to reinvigorate the Mourne coastal route by committing to resurfacing”.
“It will save you a fortune in car damage claims, and it will improve the lives of many people working in and visiting South Down,” she said.
“I invite you at any time to come down for a drive, if you are brave enough.”
Cathy Mason (Sinn Féin) thanked her fellow South Down MLA for having brought the debate to the chamber and said that it is “imperative that we continue to press the British Government for fairer funding”.
“The roads in our rural areas are lifelines for those communities,” she added.
“They connect workers to jobs, children to schools and families to services.
“Poor infrastructure isolates those communities, making it harder for businesses to thrive and for young people to stay in their local area.
“Fairer funding would help reverse those trends, allowing us to build a road network that supports sustainable growth in our rural economies and enhances the quality of life for everyone.
“Our vision is one in which rural and urban communities are equally valued and in which no one has to endure poor road conditions, poor connectivity or the isolation that comes with inadequate infrastructure.
“It is about more than fixing potholes or gritting roads – it is about ensuring that all communities, no matter how rural, can thrive and prosper.”
Andrew McMurray (Alliance) told his fellow MLAs that “the state of the roads is appalling, no more so than in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, which covers most of my constituency of South Down”.
He pointed out that, with 20,005 potholes in 2023, this district had “the highest number of surface defects in Northern Ireland by a substantial margin”.
“For the past five years, Newry, Mourne and Down was also the council area with the highest number of claims resulting in compensation,” the local representative stressed.
“Potholes can cause a lot of damage.
“Vehicle damage claims from Newry, Mourne and Down have nearly tripled in the past five years.
“There were 704 claims in 2023/24.
“DfI (Department for Infrastructure) paid out for nearly 600 of them, at a cost of over £770,000 – I think that Ms Forsythe referred to that.
“Most of that increase in claims was due to potholes.
“In most cases, a vehicle was damaged, but we must not forget that 120 claims in the past five years were made because someone in the Newry, Mourne and Down area was physically hurt due to a road defect.”
Colin McGrath (SDLP) said that there is “no point in laying punches into the minister”, as “he has inherited the department and an absolutely deplorable road network”.
“In the area around Mourne, especially on the road from Newcastle to Kilkeel, the road surface is horrendous,” he continued.
“I know that drivers are supposed to keep an eye on the road – that is important and is always the priority – but you have beautiful scenery around you, and, for lots of visitors, the worst bit about the poor roads is that you never get a chance to take the scenery in, even as a passenger, because the car is bouncing around, people are grabbing whatever there is in the car to hold on to and the journey is much more difficult.”
The local MLA added that he hoped Mr O’Dowd will “do all that he can to address the roads in South Down”.
Bringing the debate to a close, the minister said that he had “listened intently to the comments and issues that were raised”, and had “heard members’ concerns about the road network in South Down and the need for further investment and improvements”.
“Investing in new roads and maintaining roads are critical to ensure the safe movement of people and goods to allow the growth of our economy, whether rural or urban,” he concluded.
“I stress that the north can have whatever quality of road network that it wants, but it needs to be funded.
“In fairness, a number of members touched on the need for funding to upgrade our road network.
“Without funding, new strategic roads to improve safety and help economic improvement will not get built, and roads will continue to deteriorate.
“My department, like others, has been operating in a difficult financial environment.
“We hope against hope that we are moving out of an austerity period and will be able to stabilise our budgets as we move forward.
