UPDATE: Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, has declared the region’s roads are in a “dire condition” as nearly 50,000 new defects were reported in just the last three months. This alarming surge accounts for nearly half of all road defects logged in 2025. The Minister attributes this crisis to years of under-investment and unprecedented rainfall that has recently battered the region.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Kimmins highlighted that the record-breaking rainfall has severely compromised the structural integrity of roads, exacerbating an already critical scenario. Earlier this month, the Minister announced a £7.85 million winter recovery program, alongside 40 resurfacing schemes and £30 million secured for road maintenance during the December Monitoring round.
“In 2025 alone, over 127,000 surface defects were recorded, including almost 98,000 potholes. The latest figures reveal that 50,000 new road issues have emerged in merely three months,” she stated in an interview with Belfast Live. The implications for motorists and cyclists are dire, with the potential for burst tires and vehicle damage soaring.
The context is equally troubling, as Stephen Dunne, a DUP MLA, recently tabled a motion in the Assembly warning of a “pothole pandemic” affecting the entirety of Northern Ireland. “This is not confined to one constituency; the crisis spans from city centers to rural lanes,” he emphasized. His motion passed, but a Sinn Féin amendment aimed at addressing the issue was defeated.
Dunne highlighted the systemic failures in road maintenance, criticizing the Department’s “Limited Maintenance” service that has resulted in a backlog of approximately £3 billion. This backlog not only places a financial burden on the government but also leads to increased public liability claims due to vehicle damage, which have more than doubled in recent years.
Both Kimmins and Dunne agree that the current approach is inadequate. Kimmins is striving to implement a new road maintenance strategy to build a more durable network, but she acknowledges that the challenges posed by budget constraints and staffing shortages hinder progress. “We are trying to plan ahead, but the reality of budgetary issues affects all departments,” she stated.
The Minister assured constituents that additional funding would enable some maintenance projects to commence sooner than planned. “In the last week, we have announced several new schemes that are now underway,” she noted. However, the urgency of the situation calls for immediate action, as many areas remain plagued by significant potholes that require rapid attention.
Critically, Dunne pointed out that the ongoing road maintenance strategies are merely temporary fixes, stating, “We need durable, long-lasting repairs, not repeat visits every six months.” The public deserves safe and resilient roads, and both officials urge a shift away from limited maintenance toward high-quality, permanent solutions.
Kimmins’ remarks come amid broader discussions about the need for stronger oversight of utility companies, which often leave roads inadequately restored after repairs. “Where reinstatement fails, companies must be held accountable,” Dunne insisted.
With the deadline for utilizing the newly allocated funds approaching, the pressure is on to transform Northern Ireland’s road network into a safer and more reliable system. As Kimmins and Dunne call for decisive action, the public watches closely, hoping for real change in a situation that has reached crisis levels.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Northern Ireland grapples with its urgent road maintenance challenges.
