To ask the Minister for Infrastructure how the number of Network Maintenance Schemes in the Ards and North Down Council area compares against the other council areas for (i) completed works; and (ii) planned works.

The number of schemes either undertaken or planned within a Council area is not a relevant comparator of investment across Council areas as costs can vary significantly from scheme to scheme and from year to year for a wide variety of reasons including scheme length, complexity, type of material used etc.

Ards and North Down (A&ND) Borough Council area is allocated funding for Capital Structural Maintenance on the same basis as all other council areas using established criteria including total road length and structural condition. However the primary factor governing the number of resurfacing schemes in A&ND for the current year is the current lack of a resurfacing contract which is planned for award in early 2023. Full details of the Interim Term Contract Asphalt Resurfacing (ITCAR) strategy which affects all council areas can be found at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/transportni-procurement-guidance-documents

I have also included a link to my Department’s publications page where all Roads Reports to Councils are published from which a comparison can be made against completed and planned Network Maintenance schemes in other council areas; Publications | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)

Should you have any further questions on this please contact DfI Roads Southern Division at dfiroads.southern@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.