It would appear Lurgan has gone to pot!
... and the rest of the county isn't far behind it.
It’s not a new problem, however, it seems that the issue of potholes is deepening... (slight pun intended). Whether it’s north or south of the county, we’re all in this together (some people literally are in them - see below). They don’t discriminate.
Recent heavy rain and cold weather has resulted in more popping up - making some of our daily commutes more like a day at the dodgems - steering around a bunch of dangerous divots.
After having the Armagh Road to Newtownhamilton highlighted to us as a particularly rough route, we had a look for ourselves at the end of March.
So, in pursuit of potholes (the Pursuit of Unhappyness), Armagh I spent the weekend some spare time looking for some of the worst to shortlist and we believe we found a few candidates...in Lurgan.
We didn’t have to look too far, as right in the centre of the main town, is one such offender – resemblant of a mini crater. This particular pothole now has nasty cracks veining out from around it, threatening to become a much bigger problem unless dealt with immediately. Anyone know a good dentist?
In a previous article Armagh I highlighted that in the 2021-22 financial year there was over 300 claims for damage to vehicles with almost £250,000 being paid out in compensation. Shocking statistics (and you do have to wonder just how many roads that money would have fixed)!
Contrary to popular belief, it is the Department for Infrastructure which is responsible for the roads (can’t blame the council on this one), all 25,000km of public roads, together with about 9,700km of footways, 5,800 bridges, 290,000 street lights and 367 public car parks (Source Dfi website). That’s a lot of network! And would it surprise you to know that they rely on us road users to help them spot these defects?
The DfI website does have an online reporting portal - whilst exceptionally corporate in tone and functionality - it is still a tool we can all utilise to help make life less of a bumpy ride. Before you ask - yes we did report our offender see below…
It seems that nowadays a road is no sooner fixed than a utility company comes along and unearths it again, leaving behind what can only be described as a tarmacadamed golf course. Where is the joined-up thinking?
Anyone remember this social media post from 2018.. when potholes become manholes…
In January the Department for Infrastructure’s Road Recovery Programme was rolled out and it was announced that £1.7m was to be spent resurfacing seven rural roads around Armagh with work due to be completed by March 20.
Related: Residents to be ‘held to ransom in own homes’ during £520,000 Caledon roadwork
Over the weekend Slieve Gullion councillor, Oonagh Magennis shared her delight that the main Hall Road/Crossmaglen Road at Lislea has now fully reopened after a second phase of extensive resurfacing saying:
“It is a great job and makes a massive difference for road users. There are a few edges to tidy up, and cones to be removed, which will be completed next week.”
Back in Lurgan, the patchwork problem is far from over, with a journey across the town now resembling a brass band percussion as the reverb of the tyres thud, thud, thud due to damaged road surfaces.
Alas, we can’t complain too much, attempts have been made at least, in part, at the Victoria Street approaching Lough Road junction. Whilst unclear if a feeble attempt by the road service, or simply a parting gift by some poor innocent pothole-victim, sand bags have been placed in the gaping cracks in the road. Whilst this may save you from losing your vehicle totally… we still advise caution (and maybe hold onto you undergarment elastic!)
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