Repairs to the pothole-plagued road leading to the Palace in Armagh are expected to begin in October, after councillors raised concerns about damage to vehicles and the impression the route could create for visitors attending this year’s Georgian Festival.
The confirmation came during September’s economic development and regeneration committee meeting, where DUP Alderman Mark Baxter questioned the condition of the road and asked where he should send the bill for his latest flat tyre.
Concerns over Palace access
Alderman Baxter said urgent action was needed before the annual Georgian Festival, which is scheduled for the end of November. His comments followed confirmation that ABC Council had secured an additional £30,000 from Tourism NI towards this year’s Georgian showcase.
The funding was confirmed in a report by Brian Johnston, the council’s head of tourism, arts and culture. Alderman Baxter asked whether any of the money could be used to address the potholes on the approach to the Palace.
“We give off here to DfI on a regular basis about potholes in the borough, but that road going up to the Palace is probably one of the worst in the borough, and I think council are responsible for that,” said Alderman Baxter.
He said he did not know why the repairs had not yet been completed and described the state of the road as “horrendous”. He also said he expected the council to receive the bill for his damaged tyre.
“I don’t know what the story is about getting that fixed but that’s horrendous. I don’t know where to send my bill for my latest flat tyre; I don’t know whether to send it to you, Brian, or whoever, but it’s certainly coming to council anyway,” he said.
Contractors expected on site
Alderman Baxter asked whether anyone knew what was happening with the repairs, saying the work was long overdue. Councillor Kyle Savage, who was chairing the committee, said the issue could be passed to the head of estates for investigation.
When the matter was raised again, Councillor Savage said he had visited the road a few weeks earlier and found that the same potholes remained. He agreed that the situation was not acceptable and again undertook to seek feedback from the head of estates.
SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said he had raised the Palace potholes on several previous occasions. He told the committee he had now been advised that contractors were due to attend the site in October, six months after the problem was first raised.
The condition of the road was discussed in the context of the upcoming festival and the expected arrival of tourists. Alderman Baxter said he would not want to drive a horse and cart up to the Palace while the potholes remained, warning that there could be “cartwheels all over the show”. The committee chair said he totally agreed.