Contractors leave road surfacing half finished

Contractors leave road surfacing half finished

16 November 2011 - by DAVID TELFORD

A LOCAL politician has expressed his anger after contractors resurfacing a major street in Downpatrick were withdrawn half way through the job.

The team resurfacing Edward Street had only laid a base coat of tarmac before being relocated to Killyleagh where they must resurface part of the Comber Road.

The Roads Service says the Comber Road is a main route which must have priority but this excuse is not being accepted by Downpatrick councillor, Colin McGrath.

Councillor Colin McGrath said he is extremely unhappy at the length of time it’s taking to complete the Edward Street scheme.

“We have been complaining for many years to have resurfacing and other road works completed at Edward Street. It has been a rollercoaster journey to get roads officials to approve this work and residents were delighted it got underway recently,” he explained.

“Now, five weeks later, it appears to be a case of ‘down tools’ as workmen have departed for another job in Killyleagh, leaving Edward Street in a half-finished state.”

Councillor McGrath said this is simply not acceptable and has appealed to roads officials to finish the work in Downpatrick where a temporary one-way traffic system is currently in place.

He continued: “The temporary system, whilst appearing to work, is dangerous in places and local businesses are suffering as they are literally starved of customers who cannot access their locations.

“I hope the Roads Service will have the work in Edward Street completed immediately and allow residents and businesses to return to normal as soon as possible.”

A Roads Service spokeswoman confirmed the remainder of the tarmac base course in Edward Street was laid last weekend, with the top course scheduled to go down early next month.

She explained contractors have moved to Killyleagh where work on a major drainage and road improvement scheme is underway at the Comber Road.

The spokeswoman added: “Resurfacing will be carried out at the Comber Road over the next two weekends to avoid this taking place over the Christmas period. When the work there has been completed, the contractor will complete the Edward Street scheme.”