Road maintenance backlog is £1.2 billion, auditor general reveals
(World News UK)

Northern Ireland has a £1 billion roads maintenance backlog, a spending watchdog has said. Less economical and sub-standard temporary repairs have been conducted because not enough money is available, the audit office said in a report that found the major network has been well cared for, but minor roads in rural areas continue to deteriorate because the budget has been £50 million short each year. Comptroller and auditor general Kieran Donnelly said: “It is clear from this report that short-term, inadequate funding of road maintenance expenditure is causing the serious deterioration of a key public asset....