Road is ‘unsafe’

George Emerson, Managing Director of Norman Emerson Group, said the road was in an “appalling state of disrepair”, describing it as “lethal”.

He also pointed out that the road is not gritted in winter, which he says is “extremely dangerous”.

Several lorries have lost control due to the poor road surface and a failure to grit the area in winter.

Mr Emerson said a number of his company’s vehicles have also veered off the road.

However, Roads Service insisted that the route does not meet the criteria to be gritted at winter time and said resurfacing work had taken place in the Ardmore Road.

“I have lobbied on behalf of our business and local residents to have the Ardmore Road repaired to a satisfactory level for many years now, but it would appear that my phone calls, letters and appeals have fallen on deaf ears,” said Mr Emerson.

“It’s during the winter seasons that the Ardmore Road becomes most lethal.

“The road is not, and has never been, gritted, despite numerous calls to have this dangerous situation rectified.

“Our company’s head office is located in Ardmore, therefore the Ardmore Road is not merely a small, scarcely used country road, but is integral to our operation and other businesses in the area.

“The road is extensively used by school buses and the prospect of one of those coming off the road due to untreated icy conditions does not bear thinking about.

“The Ardmore Road is certainly substantially busier than many of the other roads in the area which are gritted. This defies logic.

“It’s simply not satisfactory.”

Mr Emerson added: “My fear is that it will take a very serious incident or even a death on the Ardmore Road before Roads Service will sit up and take notice of what is a busy, vital road which, despite decades of requests, remains unattended in winter and essentially unsafe for use.”