There has been a welcome for additional funds of £15million for roads' maintenance in NI.

It was announced in the recent December in-year monitoring round.

Northern Ireland Roads Minister, Conor Murphy said: "This additional money is particularly timely, given that the coldest December since 1981 will no doubt have had an effect on our road network.

"The repeated freezing and thawing cycles can cause carriageways to split and potholes to form.

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"Whilst it will take time to assess the true extent of the damage, Roads Service undertakes a series of regular inspections and condition surveys to ensure the road network is maintained to defined standards and that serious road defects are detected and repaired."

He continued: "The condition of the North’s roads is of vital importance to the economy and it is essential therefore that the road network is properly maintained to provide a safe and efficient road network.

"Some £85million is expected to be spent on maintaining roads in the North this financial year. The additional funding of £15million, announced, represents an increase of just under 20% in the structural maintenance budget and is good news for both road users and the construction industry."

(NS/BMcC)