The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has urged road users and those at risk from flooding to be extra vigilant while travelling and to be prepared for severe weather in the event of unforeseen incidents ahead of planned industrial action by members of the GMB and Unite unions.
This period of strike action by industrial staff who work on the roads network and respond to flooding, follows industrial action earlier this year and is due to commence on Monday 3 July and continue for periods during July and August.
As a result, members of the public are advised there will be a reduced level of the essential services which are routinely delivered by DfI staff on the road network and as part of flood response.
This will affect many of the Department’s key maintenance functions that, as members of the public, we largely take for granted including:
- Assistance to those incidents with most impact to life and property.
- Response and clear-up operation when there are incidents on the road such as oil spills or unexpected debris or bonfire material.
- Repair of serious defects such as manhole collapse or potholes.
- Gully clearing and cleansing.
- Response to calls to the flood incident line.
- Response to flood emergencies.
While contingency arrangements are being put in place, this will not replace the full maintenance service and we would therefore ask all citizens and road users to be mindful of this and exercise care when making their journeys.
Members of the public should continue to report defects on the road network via NI Direct: Problems with roads and streets | nidirect and flooding issues to Flooding Incident Line on 0300 2000 100.
