Colin McGrath MLA says the Rathfriland Road needs significant repairs
South Down SDLP MLA Colin McGrath has said that the Rathfriland Road between Hilltown and Rathfriland is in urgent need of attention and has written to the Infrastructure Minister to highlight this.
Commenting, the South Down Assemblyman said: “The route between Hilltown and Rathfriland is an absolutely essential one for many travellers.
“There is a significant level of traffic using this route every day, and the condition of the road must safely reflect that.
“However, multiple constituents have been in touch regarding this, and their voices must be heard by the Infrastructure Minister. The condition is particularly poor at the junction with the Castlewellan Road.
“Therefore, I have today written to the Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd MLA to request where the Rathfriland Road is in the Department’s plan for resurfacing and attention.
“As a main arterial route to Newry and surrounding areas, this route must be maintained to the highest standard.
“I appreciate that the Minister recently announced £1million to address potholes across the North, but the issues of our roads, particularly our rural ones, extend beyond potholes.
“We have been given no signs of what the Department is going to prioritise in this term and whether areas like Rathfriland are going to get the support and attention that they need.
“All too often we are hearing Ministers telling us what they cannot do.
“Now, they need to start telling us what they are going to do, and when they are going to start delivering for the constituents of the area.”
