N I Water carry out Ballinlea Road work

A spokesperson from NI Water said they inspected the Ballinlea Road on Tuesday March 23 and found a section of temporary reinstatement on the road had eroded at the edge.

“Repairs were carried out on Wednesday March 24 in advance of a permanent reinstatement which will take place as soon as possible. Temporary reinstatements will be monitored regularly to check their condition.”

Mr Allister had said the condition of the road had to be improved and said he made “robust representations”.

A spokesperson from the DRD Roads Service explained: "This work is being carried out by NIW as a Water Main Rehabilitation scheme and involves trench excavation and pipe laying on the roads and verges along Ballinlea Road. Roads Service has raised the issue with the contractor.

“DRD received additional funds of 15million for roads' maintenance announced in the recent December in-year monitoring round. Some 85million is expected to be spent on maintaining roads in the North this financial year. The additional funding of 15million, announced, represents an increase of just under 20% in the structural maintenance budget.

“This additional money is particularly timely, given that the coldest December since 1981 will no doubt have had an effect on our road network. Roads Service undertakes a series of regular inspections and condition surveys to ensure the road network is maintained to defined standards and that serious road defects are detected and repaired."