Almost 8,000 potholes in Derry

A protest has been held at the site of one of Derry’s most notorious potholes as it emerged there are 64,930 ‘official’ potholes across the North.

According to recent government data analysed by CompareNI.com, 7076 of those are in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.  Although this figure is actually a slight decrease from 2021, potholes are causing “widespread damage for drivers”. 

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon district council was the worst area in the North for potholes, with 10,925 reported in 2022, a 23% increase from 2022. 

Monday’s pothole protest, organised by People Before Profit, took place on the Northland Road near the Glen Estate, at the site of one notorious pothole described as being in a "disgraceful” condition.

WATCH: Cllr Maeve O'Neill at Northland Road pothole protest

'Cars have been damaged by the potholes on this road' - Glen resident

Derry City and Strabane District councillor for the area, Shaun Harkin, said the party would continue to back residents and road users in their calls for the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to immediately implement a plan of action to tackle potholes.

Cllr Harkin added: "This is a major issue throughout the City. Huge potholes are damaging cars on a daily basis. Cyclists are afraid to use the roads. 

"DfI is guilty of an absolute dereliction of duty when it comes to Derry and the North West." 

The Foyleside Councillor called on road users and residents to contact People Before Profit to help organise similar protests. 

Cllr Harkin laid the blame for the decrepit state of local roads on the Executive Parties in Stormont.

He said: "These roads have not gotten into this state in a few months. The damage has been done over years. Those in charge of infrastructure in the Executive must shoulder the blame.

"Whether or not Stormont has any prospect of returning, department officials must act now.

The DfI will be content to let our roads deteriorate further, becoming increasingly dangerous unless we begin to put up a public challenge."

Cllr Maeve O'Neill added: "We are here on the Northland road today to highlight the shocking state of our roads with potholes.

This is only one example of the many potholes that are existing.

"DfI spends most of its infrastructure budget on roads, yet our roads are in a poor, poor state.

"We have poor public transport and shocking roads. A lot more needs to be done by DfI. It can’t pass the buck anymore."

Also attending the protest, Glen resident Davy McAuley who said many people had contacted him because their cars have been damaged by the potholes on Northland Road.

Mr McAuley added: "This road is part of the major problem across Derry. There are roads all through the city that are absolutely destroyed.

"They were destroyed by Firmus gas digging them up. They haven't been fixed properly. People are destroying their cars when they are driving over the top of them.

DfI has to come out and fix them. It can't just keep putting things on the back burner because it is getting worse.

“The longer they leave this mess, the worse it gets. They have to get out here and get these roads fixed.”

According to CompareNI.com, road repairs strongly declined during the coronavirus pandemic. 

In addition to this, the growing number of surface defects on roads in the North has largely been attributed to a lack of adequate funding. 

CompareNI.com said: “Even when potholes are repaired, cheaper insufficient methods and materials are reportedly being used to cut costs, resulting in the repairs lasting only one or two years at most and in some cases only a matter of months.

“As the government faces increased pressure on spending due to the cost-of-living crisis, potholes could move even further down the priority list in the coming months.

“The Department of Infrastructure said in November 2021 that the opening 2021/22 structural maintenance capital budget is £80m for Northern Ireland - including £17m for the ‘road recovery fund’ with £15m of this allocated to rural roads – a 50% increase on 2020.”

Ian Wilson, Managing Director of compareNI.com added: “Unfortunately potholes on NI roads are an ongoing problem and the lack of urgency around repairing them can be frustrating for many drivers. Not only are these potholes a nuisance, they can increase the risk of accidents and serious damage to vehicles.

“With worsening weather in the coming months and the likelihood that government spending on road maintenance will decrease due to the strain of the cost-of-living crisis, we could see a significant increase in pothole affected areas.

“This will make our roads more dangerous for all road users. Pothole related damage is becoming more serious and more costly, meaning drivers are losing their no claims bonus to claim for repairs, which can increase insurance premiums for years to come.

“Drivers who experience damage from potholes can also contact the Department for Infrastructure and appeal for compensation if they have evidence the damage caused is related to a pothole.”