'Go slow' on roadway repairs sparks anger

UUP Alderman Jack Rankin, who lives on the heavily used road says the DOE's time scale is "not good enough". In a response to complaints raised by Limavady DUP Councillors Alan Robinson and Alderman George Robinson, Roads Service Acting Divisional Manager Deirdre Mackel said only a small section of the road would be resurfaced in July and August. Alderman Ranking has hit out at this response calling it "unsatisfactory".

"As a resident of that road and a local councillor who is continually receiving complaints from local people on the deterioration of this stretch, this response is absolutely not good enough."

"I appreciate the work that goes into gritting and salting the roads and the effects this may have but leaving the road in this condition to July. The entire road is in an very poor condition and needs work carried out immediately. This is far too long a wait and it's not doing cars any good."

Severe frost and snow at the start of the year has caused considerable damage to the surface of the highly used road, including large pot holes. Councillor Robinson's office contacted the department after receiving a high volume of complaints from locals using the road. Welcoming the Road Service's feedback the area from the Greystone Road to the Bovally Road would be receive resurfacing work, Councillor Robinson said there were restraints on the department's budget.

He said: "After numerous complaints to this office, I contacted Roads Service re the state of the Edenmore Road. In their reply they state that a section of the road from Greystone Road to Bovally Road is to be resurfaced later this year."

"While I appreciate that the requests were for the complete resurfacing of the Edenmore Road, I also have to accept that the Roads Service budget is under pressure, as is every other department's budget."

Councillor Robinson continued: "I do welcome this resurfacing work on what is undoubtedly the worst section of surface on the road. I remain hopeful that the works will be carried out as scheduled"

A DRD spokeswoman confrimed work is to be carried out during the summer months to resurface part of the Edenmore Road by the Road Service.

She said: "Roads Service has a standard inspection system and will continue to carryout localised repairs on the Edenmore Road as necessary. Resurfacing works are planned for the section between Greystone Road and Bovally Road and are scheduled for completion during July/August 2010 to take advantage of reduced traffic levels during the school holidays.