Better quality maintenance, longer lasting repairs and the use of
the latest technology are the key elements of a new Road
Maintenance Strategy, launched today by Northern Ireland
Infrastructure Minister, .
Speaking as the strategy was published, she said:
Our roads underpin every aspect of our daily lives. They create
jobs and drive economic growth by making business possible and
connecting communities."
I recognise the importance of maintaining and improving this
valuable asset and a considerable volume of work has already been
done in terms of repairs and resurfacing. We all want our
roads to be better and to achieve that, we must be ambitious and
innovative in equal measure, using the resources we have in a
more targeted and effective way."
The new maintenance strategy sets out how we can get there. We
are moving in a new direction, one that will lead to a better
quality of maintenance and longer lasting repairs. We will
harness the latest technology to target resources where they are
needed most, which will in turn ensure we are delivering the best
possible value for public money.
With around 26,000km of roads across the network there is no
quick fix which will address every defect on every road but new
technology will be used to target resources where they are needed
most.
The Minister added:
The new approach to maintenance will have three fundamental
principles at its heart higher quality, timely and durable
maintenance targeted where it is needed using new technology to
assist with monitoring the condition of the network.
Environmental sustainability will be embedded into our practices,
using environmentally sustainable materials where appropriate,
and designing interventions that are resilient to climate
change."
Equally, this strategy is about financial sustainability and
ensuring that we invest in our infrastructure assets for the
wider benefit of all.
The new Road Maintenance Strategy is available here
https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/road-maintenance-strategy-and-consultation-report
