The Department of Infrastructure is planning to invest in a number of residential areas.

Work will include the resurfacing of roads and pavements, the repair of kerbs, the replacement of old signage and the installation of new entrance features where required.

The department says it has carried out inspections in towns and villages throughout the island and drawn up a priority list of estates and residential roads it proposes to tackle over the next few years.

This was based, it says, on the number of properties and the current condition and visual appearance of the infrastructure, with the worst areas and those with higher density housing being scored higher to help a greater number of people.

But in the announcement about the investment, the department did not specify where would be improved, nor how much money was being spent on it.

The department said the work on housing estates would take place in addition to maintenance to ’secure the long-term integrity’ of the island’s strategic highways, bridges, retaining walls, harbours and breakwaters.

The department has been granted additional funding for residential projects.

The DoI says the intention is to focus resources on a small number of schemes each year across all areas of the island, starting in May.

The department will discuss its proposals with residents, local authorities and MHKs before the refurbishment work starts.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ’We are keen to revitalise the island’s residential areas, which have been somewhat neglected over the years.

’A good quality infrastructure is important to the Island’s social and economic wellbeing and these projects will give our built environment a real lift.’

David Anderson MLC, DoI member with responsibility for highway services, added: ’Routine maintenance may not grab people’s attention in the same way as the big capital schemes, but it is absolutely essential.

’Investing in our existing infrastructure means we can avoid the need for more significant and costly work in the future.’