‘Financial restrictions’ hampering Damolly Road repairs

Residents on the Damolly Road say that the road remains in a “state of disrepair” two years after issues with the surface were first highlighted by the Reporter.

At the time the Department for Infrastructure said that the road would be repaired after the works to new houses in the area had completed.

However, time has moved on and the houses have been built – but the road remains in need of investment.

This week the Reporter caught sight of an email exchange between residents and the Department, who gave an update on the latest situation.

And it appears that they are pointing the finger at financial restraints as being the reason why the road remains in the state that it is in.

Enda McAteer from the Newry Section Office told the residents that DFI Roads “have substantial investment planned in the Damolly area of Newry”.

He added: "This office was successful in bidding for funding to continue the recent improvements to the Trunk Network from the Mourne Country Hotel onward. This work should be begin this year.

“In addition, it is intended to carry out works on Ashgrove Road. This is targeted for 2024. Should finances allow, we intend to carry out substantial improvement to the Damolly Road in the future.

“We have other works which we have listed as desired projects including the Rathfriland Road from Crieve Road to the Hilltown Road junction and several other locations including Ardmore Road.”

However, he stated that “ongoing financial restrictions, coupled with contract difficulties have forced us to reconsider our planned workloads and we have had to postpone many projects accordingly,” including works on Ardmore Road. “This location remains on our list of intended investments,” continued Mr McAteer.

"It may have to be carried out on a reduced basis using Road Recovery funding. Sadly, this is unlikely to be achieved in this year. The supervisor for the area will continue to monitor this situation and will allocate funding once it becomes available.

Apologising for the “disappointing response”, Mr McAteer concluded: “Please be reassured it remains our intention to carry out work at this location and we have achieved substantial improvements in the general area already.”