To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the identified risks which could endanger the delivery of planned (i) network maintenance; and (ii) network developments, in the Ards and North Down Council Area by the end of 2022-23 financial year.

My Department has identified a number of issues which present risks to the planned delivery of works across the Ards and North Down Council Area. As the contracts used are common to network maintenance and network development, the risks are similar for both areas of work. It should also be noted that the majority of risks are common to all Councils areas and are not limited to Ards and North Down.

The key risk to delivery of planned works is contract availability and contract renewal preparations are progressing with award of an Asphalt Resurfacing Term Contract (which expired in November 2021) planned for January 2023 and award of a Term Contract for Environmental Maintenance (which expired in November 2021) planned for November 2022. Contract renewal work for a Minor Works Term Contract (which expired in July 2022) is continuing, but a planned award date has not yet been confirmed. Any technical delay or challenge from an unsuccessful tenderer may impact on the availability of a contract on these dates.

My Department has produced work programmes for the Council area which are included in the Annual Council Report, Annual Report to Ards and North Down Borough Council - 2022/23 (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)

Should you have any further questions on this please contact DfI Roads Southern Division at dfiroads.southern@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.