Structural Maintenance Resurfacing

Oral Answers to Questions — Regional Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:45 pm on 1 February 2016.

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Photo of Caitriona Ruane Caitriona Ruane Sinn Féin 2:45, 1 February 2016

1. Ms Ruane asked the Minister for Regional Development for her estimate of the level of structural maintenance resurfacing in the 2015-16 year. (AQO 9508/11-16)

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

As the House may be aware, structural maintenance includes structural drainage, patching and surface dressing as well as resurfacing. I can advise the Member that, in respect of resurfacing, the current projected expenditure for 2015-16 is estimated at just over £21 million. It has been a challenging year for capital funding for resurfacing compared with previous years, and it is an area where I have had discussions with industry representatives to listen to their concerns.

I sought and obtained additional funding for structural maintenance in the November monitoring round. The Executive allocated an additional £5 million. I am aware that this was very much welcomed by the construction industry. The overall structural maintenance budget for 2015-16 is estimated to out-turn at around £44 million against the independently assessed requirement of £141 million. That is a significant shortfall for this year, but has to be seen in the context of an investment of £454 million over the last four years. I would like to assure the Member that I will continue to make strong bids for additional structural maintenance funds at every opportunity.

Photo of Caitriona Ruane Caitriona Ruane Sinn Féin

I am very concerned about the Minister's answer. As she will be aware, the annual average is £70 million, so there is an enormous gap. Obviously, that has led to deterioration of the roads. I would just like to let the Minister know that the Tamnaharry Hill road in Hilltown has subsided. I would welcome an update — in writing, if she does not have the answer today — on when it will be dealt with.

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

I thank the Member for her question. Obviously, the structural maintenance budget for 2016-17 is estimated to start at some £46 million. Compared with 2015-16, that is a much better starting place than where we were last year. While I appreciate the Member's concerns, I hope that she understands that I share those concerns about investment and will continue to call for additional money to be spent on the roads infrastructure. She has been very specific in relation to the Hilltown area. I will write to her with regard to that scheme.

Photo of Peter Weir Peter Weir DUP

I thank the Minister for her answers so far. While there has been a welcome improvement in Transport NI's dealing with street lighting and potholes in north Down, there is obviously still quite a considerable backlog with regard to potholes. What is Transport NI's inspection process for potholes and the criteria that would apply for roads services?

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

I thank the Member for his question. My Department does have a duty of care to maintain all public roads in a reasonable condition. Irrespective of budgetary constraints, the Department still has been trying to meet that legislative requirement. Transport NI regularly inspects all road networks and defects are prioritised for repair depending on their severity. Earlier in the year, although roads were still being inspected as normal and defects prioritised for repair at that stage, there has been a build-up of a considerable backlog, as the Member said, of patching and other routine maintenance works.

Thankfully, as part of November monitoring, I sought and was successful in securing the additional £50 million of resource, which was prioritised by the Executive for road maintenance. That has allowed external contractors to be re-employed in many areas. I am hopeful that Members will actually see that work is being carried out quite quickly in their areas — certainly much more quickly than before. I am keen for the public to see the difference quickly, but I also ask for understanding from Members with regard to the fact that there has been a backlog.

Photo of John Dallat John Dallat Social Democratic and Labour Party

Far be it from me to suggest that we are going back into the Dark Ages when those wonderful Roman roads all but disappeared due to lack of maintenance, but the situation is now so radical and so serious that some roads are not due for resurfacing for 102 years. Does the Minister agree with me that, for the sake of the ratepayers, taxpayers and contractors, there has to be a new approach to how we maintain our roads?

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

I thank the Member for his question. I am of the same mind in that a stitch in time saves nine, and we should look after the roads that are currently part of our infrastructure. There has been a major consequence of reduced funding, and maintenance costs are likely to increase the longer we leave our roads without increasing the amount of patching and so forth. I am of a similar vein to where the Member is with regard to that. I see that as a priority, and it will continue to be a priority for me while I am in the Department. I will certainly be lobbying for additional moneys if and when they become available.

Photo of Mitchel McLaughlin Mitchel McLaughlin Speaker

Before we move on, I inform Members that question 7 has been withdrawn.