Water service worst road offender

Northern Ireland Water has been cited as the worst utility offender when it comes to returning dug-up roads to their original state.

An Audit Office report said work on water pipes made up over 20,000 of 35,000 road openings in NI last year.

Paul Maskey, chair of the assembly's Public Accounts Committee, wants fines if roads and pavements are not restored to their previous condition.

NI Water said there had been huge improvements on its part.

It said it had introduced a range of initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of its works.

"We look forward to the publication of the next report which we anticipate will reflect the level of progress we have made," it said.