McMurray MLA urges Infrastructure Minister to address “worst roads in Northern Ireland”
South Dowm Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray has urged the Minister for Infrastructure to improve road surfaces in South Down.
He asked the Minister Liz Kimmins whether she could reassure South Down constituents that they would see noticeable improvements under her Department’s new road maintenance strategy.
Mr McMurray said: “Recent statistics have shown once again that Newry Mourne and Down has the worst roads in Northern Ireland on a range of indicators, including the largest number of road surface defects of all local government districts and the worst ratio of defects to road length, both of which have worsened over the past year.
“I was pleased to hear that the Minister acknowledges that there is significant need for road improvements in South Down. This is reflected in the fact that the Southern Division receives the largest allocation of funding for road repairs, although this still isn’t enough.
“The Minister said that her Department’s new road maintenance strategy will focus on better-quality repairs in the hope that this will lead to longer-lasting, more effective results.”
McMurray MLA raises road safety concerns outside Dundrum school
Andrew McMurray MLA has called on the Minister for Infrastructure to introduce a blanket 20mph speed limit outside schools.
During Question Time at the NI Assembly, he raised the case of Dundrum, stating that “there is a school with a 20 mph speed limit at one end of the village, but Knockevin Special School, at the other end, does not have a 20 mph limit.
“People in that village would greatly appreciate a permanent 20 mph zone.”
The South Down MLA added: “Road safety outside schools is extremely important and I welcome the Minister’s recent efforts in this regard.
“It is welcome that the Department is working on legislation to increase safety around school buses and rolling out a third tranche of part-time 20 mph speed limits at additional schools.
“But there are many schools in my constituency where this is an issue, and Knockevin is one of them, and I would like to see a blanket 20 mph rule outside all schools, rather than this piece-meal approach.
“I am glad to hear that the Minister shares my view on this in principle, but was disappointed by her response that budget constraints demand a phased approach.
