STORM Emma may have drifted on from our shores but she could leave behind a lasting impression in the form of more potholes!
Following the plunging Siberian temperatures of the ‘Beast from the East’, the county’s roads may once again bear the brunt.
Drivers are being warned of further damage to cars from potholes caused by yet more ice and gritting which could mean more bumpy rides for local motorists.
NI roads expert Dr Wesley Johnston has said he expects the North’s pothole problem to be much worse in the aftermath of last week’s most recent cold snap.
“The underlying problem is that we’re simply not spending enough on road maintenance and we haven’t done for many years now,” he said.
“In terms of road repairs, before this particular spell of bad weather, if you were going to complete the backlog of maintenance, such as resurfacing, you’re talking about £1bn.”
The RAC is also warning that the extreme weather will lead to an “assault course of potholes”.
An RAC spokesman said: “We’re expecting a plague of potholes once the snow subsides. It’s a toxic combination of ice, snow, further rain and sleet.”
Years of wear and tear on our roads caused by severe flooding, winter storms and heavily loaded articulated lorries have taken their toll.
As reported by the Herald in January, the number of vehicle damage claims lodged with the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) area was 12,500 during 2016/17.
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