Newry, Mourne and Down District Council councillors voted against hearing an emergency motion on road maintenance. The vote at the Downpatrick meeting saw 22 members oppose and 16 support suspending standing orders for the SDLP proposal from Slieve Gullion representative Pete Byrne.

The motion sought Stormont Executive backing for the Barton Report recommendations, including a multi-year budget and asset management plans for roads. Councillors rejected it on the eve of a March 3 public consultation deadline on a potential £4 billion capital budget for the Department of Infrastructure.

Byrne noted the district has Northern Ireland's highest pothole count and lowest repair rate. Residents in Crossmaglen have filled potholes using breeze blocks due to vehicle damage and accident risks.

Sinn Fein group leader Valerie Harte stated the motion arrived less than two hours before the meeting while members travelled to Downpatrick. She pointed to prior council meetings on January 12 and February 2 for timely submission. Harte attributed poor road conditions to underfunding and heavy rainfall.

Harte added that Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins obtained more than £40 million in extra funding for repairs since December and is prioritising urgent works.

Deputy chairperson Geraldine Kearns oversaw the meeting but did not permit the motion without the vote. In January, Finance Minister John O'Dowd described his draft multi-year budget for 2026 to 2029/30 as progress toward longer-term departmental planning, pending Executive agreement and Assembly scrutiny.