by Chris Ashmore
CALLS have been made for Donegal County Council to use bitmac rather than wet mix materials in some cases when it comes to filling potholes on roads around the county.
Raising the issue at a plenary meeting of the local authority, Cllr Martin Scanlon questioned the current policy when it comes to repairing potholes.
Like several other councillors he believes that while bitmac may be more expensive in the short-run, it may work out better in the long run.
Indeed, he claimed that the council is having to repair pot-holes on road surfaces that were only re-done six months or a year ago.
Supporting the motion, Cllr Liam Blaney recalled that he had a similar motion in about 20 years ago, and felt there “was not a massive difference in price.”
In response, Bryan Cannon, Director of Roads and Transportation, said that the materials used in the repair and improvement of roads by local authorities are specified in Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Specification for Works and meet national and international standards.
He explained that “multiple factors” are taken into consideration when selecting pavement materials such as the condition of road including subgrade characteristics, the volume and type of traffic, the resources available locally, and budget considerations.”
“Bound materials may give the road a longer design life but will also have a greater cost meaning that less work can be done for the same level of grant and a balance must be struck.”