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Long awaited surface repair work on Catherine Street in Newry is due to commence at the end of the month. Local Councillors have welcomed the move which will see the street closed from 31 July for 5 weeks.
Newry City Councillor Michael Savage said "Local motorists and especially the long-suffering children, parents and staff of St Joseph's Primary School will all agree this is one of the worst quality road surfaces in the area and its resurfacing is long overdue"
"I and my SDLP colleagues have worked tirelessly with DFI to improve road conditions along this arterial street, including in the last Assembly mandate when our former SDLP Infrastructure Minister delivered a new pedestrian crossing at the bottom of the hill."
"Whilst this is positive news for all who use the street, I cannot go without mentioning the extreme pressures and demands DFI roads and all public sector staff are under due to the disastrous budget constraints."
"Whilst those workers are going above and beyond in their everyday duties under the circumstances, it would be ludicrous to expect them to sustain much longer. This is at a time where potentially dangerous cash saving measures such as switching off street lights are being dangled in front of us."
"The SDLP outrightly reject these cuts and have committed to forming an Official Opposition should the Assembly return to functioning as it should."
Fellow Newry City Councillor Geraldine Kearns “This has been a long time coming and the Sinn Féin team in Newry have worked closely with residents in pressing DFI to carry out these repairs as soon as possible."
She added “Sinn Féin will continue to work to improve road safety and quality for all of our communities."
Party colleague, Liz Kimmins MLA added “These repair works are long overdue and we have worked at all levels to lobby for this to be done as soon as possible.
“As an MLA I raised the issue with the former Infrastructure Minister on many occasions, making it clear that resurfacing the street must be a priority.
“It’s good that we now have a commitment from DFI for when these works will be carried out and hopefully we will see a much improved road surface when the works finish.
“Improving road safety and quality for all is a priority for Sinn Féin and we will continue fighting for better roads for all in Newry and Armagh."
