Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has been called to reverse his decision to cut back on road maintenance.

Sinn Féin Rural spokesperson Oliver McMullan said he is concerned that the percentage of people killed on rural roads will increase due to the lack maintenance.

Mr McMullan said: "The percentage of road deaths on rural roads accounted for 74% of the total number of people killed on our roads over the period of 2013-2014 and it is important this is addressed.

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"I am concerned the lack of maintenance of the rural roadways and hedgerows will only increase the number of accidents in these areas.

"If we are serious about tackling deaths on our roads we need to target the areas where the majority of these deaths take place and that is on the rural roadway network."

SDLP South Down MLA Karen McKevitt said: "I have written, for the third time, to Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy to relay concerns from residents near the Ballyholland road about road safety in the area as drivers continue to speed past.

"It is only a matter of time before we have a serious accident here which may otherwise be preventable if proper road safety measures are put in place."

(CD)