Resurfacing schemes across Newry and Armagh for the year ahead will be finalised and presented to local councils “in due course” after “budgets are confirmed”.
And repairs are expected to focus first on “highest priority defects on the more heavily trafficked roads on the network”.
A further £5m had been sourced for Southern Division Roads, which includes the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon and Newry, Mourne and Down Council areas.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said she was “aware of the frustrations and inconvenience that poor road conditions have caused”.
But she offered assurances that her Department “continues to inspect and repair the highest priority defects across the road network in all council areas as quickly as resources permit”.
The Minister was responding to Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty, after the SDLP representative asked for an update on resurfacing schemes – including pothole repairs – within his constituency.
Despite the additional funding for the Southern Division, the Minister added: “Given the extent of the damage to the road network caused by the prolonged period of wet weather – and the unprecedented number of defects recorded as a result – you will appreciate that it will not be possible for all defects to be actioned immediately and recovery will take time.”
Within the constituency and with the additional funding, Minister Kimmins was “pleased” to see resurfacing schemes completed on the A25 Rathfriland Road, C217 Tullywhinney Road, A27 New Street, A2 Sugar Island and the U6294 Erskine Street.
Officials had also undertaken 6.2km of “road recovery” in the Tassagh area, including the Farnaloy Road; and Dawson Street and Abbey Street, and Loughgall Road, in Armagh.
She continued: “Details of current resurfacing schemes can be found in my Department’s Annual Reports to the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and Newry Mourne and Down District Councils.
“The 2026/27 resurfacing programme will be finalised once budgets are confirmed and presented to council in due course.
“Officials are doing all they can to maximise capacity to undertake inspections and repairs in line with the Department’s Limited Service policy, dealing with the highest priority defects on the more heavily trafficked roads on the network.
“Where possible, larger scale machine laid repairs are being undertaken rather than localised immediate defect removal.”
The Minister said she had launched the new Road Maintenance Strategy for public consultation at the start of December and the feedback was “currently being analysed by my officials”.
Ms Kimmins continued: “In support of the new approach, I have also commissioned a full digital road survey of all roads in the North. The digital road survey and the analysis of the data it produces is an investment in the future of our road network. It will enable a better understanding of the condition of the network and will therefore inform strategic decision making going forward targeting road maintenance activities to where they are needed most.
“This will also continue to be supported by the reporting of potholes and surface defects via the online portal and maintenance staff will continue to inspect and make safe defects, in accordance with our policy to ensure the safety of the travelling public insofar as resources permit.”
