Over 200 compensation claims made by motorists over pot holes in Mid Ulster

The massive pot-hole on the main Drummullan to Moneymore Road. Picture: SIMON ROBINSON.

Mid Ulster SDLP MLA, Patsy McGlone, obtained the latest figures in response to a question to the Minister for Regional Development, Michelle McIlveen.

Mr McGlone said: “By 18th March this year 210 claims had been made for vehicles damaged by potholes in Mid Ulster in 2015/16, compared to 96 in 2014/15 and 83 in 2013/14. This is clear evidence of the failure to properly fund the maintenance of the rural road network.

“The DUP/SF budget led to cutbacks in every Department. As a result the funding of the maintenance of our rural roads was cut and repairs to the road network neglected. I warned the Roads Minister at the time that it was a false economy. That it would damage our roads infrastructure, damage our economy - particularly in rural areas where the road network was already under pressure. I said then that there would be no long-term savings from those cuts. The department now faces a massive increase in compensation payouts as a direct result of that short-term decision.”