Pothole response ‘insults our intelligence’, fumes councillor
Duplicated responses invoke ire of councillors as roads maintenance remains ‘horrendously underfunded
AFTER agreeing to enquire around the potential of pothole-fixing machine, members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have expressed disappointment at responses received from the Minister for Infrastructure and the Western Division Regional Roads Manager.
Council wrote to both requesting the acquisition of a pothole probe fixing machine, similar to that reported to be operating effectively in other local authorities, including Louth County Council.
At the most recent Environmental Services Committee meeting, identical responses from both authorities were placed before members who were less than impressed with the content.
The letters read: “You will be pleased to hear the Department already uses machines to remove and sweep up defective material when repairing potholes, although these are manufactured by a different company. Earlier this year the Department attended a demonstration of the JCB Pothole Pro machine and officials concluded that it is not an improvement on the existing methods of repair.”
‘Very disappointed’
Independent Councillor Bernice Swift, who brought the matter to council last month, said: “We’re very disappointed with these letters and the fact they are identical insults our intelligence.
“In suggesting we should be pleased to know there are machines which the Department already uses, well who would have thought that in the council area?
“This flies in the face of us collectively trying to address the vexatious issue of potholes. The stalemate at Stormont and the expenditure of paying people to work who aren’t working again flies in the face of those suffering on disgraceful roads. It’s a big issue for quite a number of people. It’s totally unfair on every single level.”
She also referred to the machines already in use pointing out: “They don’t do a similar job. That’s the problem. They very fact they have scantily described their machine as doing the job is not a good enough response for our ratepayers who are paying to central government for a service they are not availing of.
“I want this kept off the agenda and I’m very aware of cost-of-living issues, which have to be dealt with first, but if we do have any spare money it should definitely be considered.”
Councillor Swift proposed writing back to the Western Divisional Manager: “But not the Minister as that was a waste of time, and ask who viewed this machine, what are the comparators and what machine do we have here?”
Seconding this, Councillor Emmet Mcaleer, Independent remarked: “It’s not actually the same machine we originally proposed. It’s one used to remove and sweep up defective material when repairing potholes. It sounds like an electronic sweeper which is completely different.”
Councillor Donal O’cofaigh CCLA felt this issue is more to do with budget as: “It’s not that long ago road workers were confined to bases as there was no money for fuel to power their vehicles. Yet the road up to Stormont was being cleaned twice weekly.
“This is austerity cuts and we all know our roads have been horrendously underfunded for decades. Less than half the budget is being spent to do the maintenance alone. That’s where the emphasis should really be going. There are safety issues here.”
All members were in agreement.