A new Road Maintenance Strategy aimed at improving the quality and durability of road repairs has been launched by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins.

The strategy sets out a new approach to maintaining Northern Ireland's road network, focusing on better quality repairs, the use of new technology and more targeted investment.

Speaking as the strategy was published, Minister Kimmins 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.

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"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."

The strategy acknowledges the scale of the challenge facing the road network, with around 26,000km of roads requiring ongoing maintenance. While there is no immediate solution to address every defect, new technology will be used to help identify where investment and repairs are most urgently needed.

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 Department said the new strategy will guide future maintenance work by combining improved repair methods, technological advances and sustainable practices to ensure the road network remains fit for the future.