With a main road affected by subsidence and the ferry service cancelled due to mechanical failure, Councillor Armstrong said local people were left stranded for a number of days.
“A sinkhole appeared on the Portaferry Road between Finlay’s Road and Mountstewart Road, meaning the closure of the main route. This was compounded by the ferry being cancelled and the second boat already being away for repair.
“This caused massive inconvenience for people living in this area of Strangford, showing how important that connection is. I hope Transport NI considers the impact on an already isolated community their plans to reduce the ferry service will have.
“These last few days have shown the result of a lack of investment into infrastructure in the Peninsula – remedial resurfacing for example is not good enough. Transport NI needs to ensure its budget is secured for a full coastal erosion survey to identify future road collapses and prevent them, underpinning roadways and strengthening coastal defences.”