Donegal Councillor urges use of Bitmac as roads are ‘falling apart’

An East Donegal councillor has called on roads teams to scrap the use of wet mix on local roads and switch to bitmac, warning that some surfaces are “falling apart” within just a few years.

The issue was raised by Councillor Martin Scanlon at today's meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District.

Cllr Scanlon: “Our issue is our wet mix not being up to standard and falling apart after a short period of time.

“I believe we should be working towards using Bitmac in our works programme. A lot of other MDs and counties are doing it and we seem to be lagging behind.

“It’s more expensive overall but in the long run it’s there for the future - you’re not going to be back in 5 years filling potholes.”

Cllr Patrick McGowan, who seconded the motion, said wet mix should be the exception on roads such as cul-de-sacs, and not the rule, adding that 90-95% of roads should be bitmacced.

“We are doing quite a lot, but there’s a lot that should be done,” he said.

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In response, Donegal County Council said that wet mix is an approved road construction material. Area Engineer Claire McGeever added that the council would take the views of the elected members on board.