The Roads Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed progress on investment totalling £7million in the Fermanagh area this year.
Speaking ahead of Monday night's special meeting between Roads Service and Fermanagh District Council's Development Committee, he gave an update on a number of strategic road improvements. He noted that the work at Henry Street in Enniskillen to provide an additional lane for traffic entering Enniskillen was nearing completion and would open to traffic next month.
He went on: "Completion of the statutory processes for the Cherrymount Link scheme (also in Enniskillen) is expected before the end of this financial year (March 31 next) and, if successful, it is intended that construction work will start in the next financial year (March, 2010)."
Other schemes which have been completed this year include resurfacing work on the C431 Teemore Road, the U8249 Geaglum Road and the U6504 Hillview/Kilmacormick, in Enniskillen. Also completed is the provision of right turning lanes at A4 Belfast Road/Brookborough Road, Maguiresbridge, and the B127 New Bridge Road in Lisnaskea.
Additional on-street car parking spaces have been provided at Wellington Place and Broadmeadow Place, both in Enniskillen. Also completed is the footway reconstruction at C412 Baragh Road, Ballinamallard from Main Street to the school entrance.
SAFETY MEASURES
The Road Service's Divisional Roads Manager, Pat Doherty also welcomed the continued investment in local transport and safety measures in the Fermanagh District Council area.
He referred to traffic calming schemes, and measures to assist pedestrians and a programme of school travel and safety projects.
Mr Doherty went on: "A contract has just been awarded to improve the section of A4 Belfast Road, from Tamlaght to Lisbellaw with carriageway reconstruction giving additional width and improved drainage.
"Other schemes that will be taken forward in the current financial year include the provision of forward sightlines and carriageway widening at the A509 Derrylin Road at Derryhawlaght and realigning the junction at B72/B82 Manoo Road/Killadeas. Also proposed are the provision of footways at Erne Road and Lough Yoan Road, both in Enniskillen.
The Roads Service report also contained the draft capital programme for 2009-2011. Schemes include providing a right turning lane at the A4 Belfast Road at Brookeborough, the linking of traffic lights on Wellington Road, Enniskillen and the provision of footways at B4 Lack Village and at Circular Road Lisbellaw.
However, Mr Doherty said Roads Service faced 'some very significant challenges' over the next few years as it deals with the ongoing needs for road maintenance, while progressing a demanding programme of strategic road improvements.
"Despite these challenges", he stated, " Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in the Fermanagh District Council area."
