Urgent Call for Action as Northern Ireland’s Road Network Reaches “Breaking Point”

Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, is facing mounting pressure to respond after the Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland (MPANI) issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of the region’s road network.

The association has raised alarm over years of underfunding, staff shortages, and delayed project approvals, warning that the road system is now at a “critical point” with “dangerously low levels of maintenance funding.”

Funding at Lowest Level in Decades

According to MPANI, recent assessments show that the current budget for essential road maintenance is at its lowest level in decades — covering only a fraction of what is required to keep Northern Ireland’s £40 billion road network safe and serviceable.

Local councils and contractors have reported that resurfacing and repair programmes have been drastically reduced or postponed, resulting in worsening road conditions and growing safety concerns for both residents and businesses.

Severe Staff Shortages Compounding Delays

The Department for Infrastructure’s Transport & Roads Asset Management (TRAM) team is also under strain, with significant vacancies across engineering, inspection, and procurement roles.These staff shortages are leading to longer project approval times, slower emergency responses, and a growing backlog of unrepaired defects, further exacerbating the decline of the network.

“The Network Is Crumbling Faster Than It Can Be Repaired”

Gordon Best, Regional Director of MPANI, said the situation has reached breaking point:

“Years of underinvestment, combined with a loss of experienced staff, mean that our road network is literally crumbling faster than it can be repaired. The safety of road users, the efficiency of our transport system, and the competitiveness of our economy are all being put at risk.”

He continued:

“Well-maintained roads are essential to daily life — from emergency services and school transport to freight, tourism, and rural access. Without urgent action from the Executive to restore funding and rebuild capacity within DfI, Northern Ireland risks a managed decline of one of its most valuable public assets.”

Call for Immediate Reallocation of Funds

MPANI is urging the Executive to reallocate capital funding during the upcoming December Monitoring Round, prioritising road maintenance over stalled capital projects, such as the A5. The association is also calling for a DfI workforce recovery plan to address critical vacancies and rebuild technical expertise.

“We need leadership and urgency,” Mr Best added. “Safe, reliable roads are not a luxury — they are the foundation of a functioning economy and a basic public expectation. The time for short-term cuts has long passed.”