Assembly members must get finger out to stop roads deterioration - Duncan

5.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 17th May 2006

Alliance Castlereagh Councillor Sara Duncan

Alliance Castlereagh Councillor Sara Duncan has said the threat of potholed roads across Northern Ireland is another reason for local politicians to focus on restoring devolution and local accountability.

Cllr Duncan stated: "Every aspect of public services is now becoming subject to reduced funding under direct rule. Councils are being made aware by the Quarry Products Associations and others about the sharp cutbacks on roads maintenance. The outright danger of such cutbacks does not bear thinking about.

"We must look after our roads properly. Everyone uses them in one way or another, and we must do all we can to ensure they can do so safely.

"That safety issue has claimed lives recently yet again in Castlereagh, as it has across Northern Ireland. We simply cannot allow funds to disappear from ensuring our roads are structurally as safe as reasonably possible.

"It is increasingly obvious the only option to sort this out is to get MLAs back doing their jobs at Stormont - and for the parties seeking ministerial responsibility to prove they can do a better job."

ENDS