PROGRESS on a new link road for Enniskillen has taken a step towards completion this week as Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy confirmed the land required for the construction has been acquired.
He said Roads Service is committed to the Cherrymount link road project which will link Irvinestown traffic directly onto the Tempo Road bypassing Enniskillen town centre.
However, the Department have told local councillors that the scheme - which has been at the planning stage for almost a decade - will not now commence before 2011 with completion not before 2013. This is due to the funding not being released at this stage.
The minister welcomed a total investment of £6.4million to progress Road's Service progress in the Fermanagh area,
Mr Murphy was speaking as Roads Service managers met with Fermanagh District Council this week. He said: "The land for the construction of Cherrymount link road has been acquired and my department's Roads Service remains committed to the completion of this worthwhile project."
He also provided an update on other work being completed throughout the county. Mr Murphy explained: "Work on the development of several improvements on the A32 Enniskillen to Omagh Road continues and it is hoped that work to widen and realign the road at Esker Bog [near Dromore] could commence this financial year subject to acquisition of the necessary adjoining lands.
"Design work is also progressing on projects to realign the A32 at Shannaragh [the acute bends on the Omagh side of Dromore] and at Sidaire. Subject to the necessary land acquisition procedures and availability of finance, these schemes could commence in early 2011.
"Preliminary route development work is also ongoing on the Enniskillen Southern Bypass. It is hoped to hold a public consultation day in autumn of 2010 to present the route corridor under consideration and to seek the views and comments of the public."
Turning to the rural areas the Minister said: "The new bridge between Belcoo and Blacklion was successfully completed this year. Roads Service worked closely with their counterparts in Cavan County Council and the National Roads Authority in the South to build a bridge to modern standards while retaining the appearance of the original bridge. A right turning lane has been completed at the junction of B72 Manoo Road and B82 Killadeas Road. Work has also started recently on the bridge replacement and road realignment at Thompson's Bridge on the A509 between Enniskillen and Derrylin."
The Minister also welcomed the start of the resurfacing scheme on the A4 Belfast Road at Aghavea along with the completion of the resurfacing on the B82 Killadeas Road and the A47 Boa Island Road at the Commons and Drumgrenaghan.
Divisional roads manager Pat Doherty said: "A zebra crossing has recently been introduced at Main Street, Irvinestown and a collision remedial scheme has been completed at A32 Mossfield Road, Irvinestown. Safer Routes to Schools measures have also been substantially completed in the vicinity of St Michael's College and St Joseph's College, Enniskillen and at Tempo Controlled Primary School. Mr Doherty said: "The financial position for the next two years will depend on decisions made by the Executive. However Roads Service is still planning improvement schemes and welcomes comments from Council on its programmes."Among the proposals in the Local Transport and Safety Measures Draft Programme 2010-2012 are the provision of a right turn lane at Rossorry link road on the A4 Sligo Road, Enniskillen, a link footway at Monaghan Road, Roslea and improvements to Wellington Road."
