Councillors in Armagh Borough Council have accused the Department for Infrastructure of removing pothole reports from the NI Direct website. The issue came to light during a full council meeting on January 26.

Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery stated that many reports he handled received an update on January 6 indicating they were superseded by new enquiries. He described the practice as unacceptable and proposed writing to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Acting Divisional Manager Cindy Noble for explanations.

Lavery noted that the online portal serves as the main channel for public and elected officials to report road and footpath defects to the department. He expressed concern that numerous health and safety issues could be erased in this manner across Northern Ireland.

Lord Mayor Stephen Moutray called it an important issue and endorsed Lavery's points. Alderman Paul Berry seconded the proposal and questioned the handling of defects reported via the portal and emails.

A Co Armagh resident separately reported that six of his defect reports from 2026 vanished from the site's searchable map. Those potholes remain unrepaired and unmarked.

The NI Direct website allows users to view a map of prior defect reports and descriptions, which are forwarded to the Department for Infrastructure for assessment.