Allister's neglect claims 'putting road users at risk'

After visiting the area Mr Allister said he was appalled at what he alleged was the dangerous condition in which parts of the road had been left, particularly in the vicinity of Malin Bridge, where “gouges inches deep exist, presenting vertical edges, which could be especially dangerous for motorcyclists.”

"Given the juxtaposition of the bridge's stone walls a motorcyclist thrown off by these potholes could be very seriously injured,” he explained. “We've already seen one young motorcyclist killed on County Antrim roads this week, we don't want more tragedy because of Road Service neglect.

"I have, therefore, made robust representations for immediate remedial action. The extent to which our rural roads have been allowed to deteriorate over this winter is quite appalling. DRD is a department which under Sinn Fein wastes hundreds of thousands of pounds each year on needless translation into Irish, and now on Irish classes, but won't spend the money needed to keep our roads safe. We've just seen 20m gifted to the Irish language while frontline need, like upkeeping our roads, goes unmet. It's time this failing government got its priorities right."