New figures show the alarming rise of potholes in Northern Ireland, with many residents concerned about road safety and government action.
Newry: The latest figures have come out, and it turns out Northern Ireland has a serious pothole problem. A recent survey by CompareNI shows that a whopping 85% of folks think things are getting worse.
Out of 800 people surveyed, 70% believe local government can actually do something about it. Many think rural areas are hit hardest, with 69% agreeing on that. With National Pothole Day coming up on January 15, the situation is pretty dire, with nearly 107,000 potholes reported.
According to government data, from April 2023 to March 2024, there were 106,923 potholes in total. Newry, Mourne, and Down took the top spot with 19,171 potholes, while Belfast came in second with 12,840, which is a 9% jump from last year.
Ards and North Down also saw a big increase, with 7,003 potholes, up 22% from the previous year. On the flip side, Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon had a slight decline of 8%, but they still ranked third with 11,923 potholes.
Lisburn and Castlereagh had the fewest potholes at 5,232, but that was still a 5% increase from last year. It’s a mixed bag, but overall, the pothole situation is a real headache for drivers.
When asked what could be done, 64% of people want the government to put more money and staff into road maintenance. Others suggested better compensation for those affected or even a media campaign to raise awareness.
Ian Wilson from CompareNI.com pointed out that most people aren’t even aware of National Pothole Day, which is a missed chance to highlight this issue. He noted that potholes not only annoy drivers but can also lead to accidents and costly vehicle damage.
With winter weather on the way, there’s hope that the government will prioritize road maintenance, especially in the areas that are really struggling. Pothole damage can be a real pain, often leading to higher insurance premiums for drivers.
For those who do experience damage, it’s worth reaching out to the Department for Infrastructure to see if they can get compensation if they have proof that a pothole caused the issue.
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