Roads Service reports on schemes in Fermanagh area

Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £4.4million for structural road maintenance in the Fermanagh District Council area this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Fermanagh District Council, the Minister said: "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past year. While the tightening public expenditure environment in the year ahead will be challenging, Roads Service remains committed to ensure it can make best use of our resources and continue to deliver quality public services."

The Minister also commented on the major schemes in the Council area. He said: “Site clearance and preliminary earthworks have now been completed at A32 Cherrymount Link Road. This will facilitate a shorter time period for the main contract. Roads Service continues to develop a number of improvement schemes along the A32 Omagh to Enniskillen route with design work now focusing on Kilgortnaleague in the Council area. Early development work is also progressing well on the Enniskillen Southern Bypass.

"Other schemes which were carried out in the year include the replacement of Belcoo Bridge, the replacement of Clontivrin Bridge between Newtownbutler and Clones, right turning lanes on the A4 at Brookeborough and at Killadeas Road / Manoo Road.

"In total, 35 kilometres of carriageway were resurfaced, the most significant schemes being A4 Belfast Road at Aghavea,B36 Derrynawilt Road at Loughgare and the B127 New Bridge Road at Tully South."

Speaking at the meeting, Divisional Roads Manager, Pat Doherty welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe conditions last winter. He said work is planned for resurfacing the A4 Belfast Road at Cavanagarvan (Brookeborough), A4 Belfast Road at Dromard (Tamlagh) and the A32 Irvinestown Road at Chanterhill.

"Work is well underway on the road realignment and bridge replacement on the A509 at Thompson’s bridge near Derrylin and the road realignment and change of priorities at the Brookeborough Road/Main Street junction in Maguiresbridge."

He also welcomed the completion of the pelican crossings on the Cornagrade Road, Enniskillen and Main Street, Irvinestown and the Safer Routes to Schools schemes at Tempo Primary School and at St Michael's and St Joseph's Colleges in Enniskillen: "I welcome the ongoing co-operation of the residents and road users of these areas while this important work is in progress."

Roads Service also presented the Council with a programme for local transport and safety measures, which is currently being developed for the area. These projects, which include traffic calming in Hillview and Drumclay Park , Enniskillen and Safer Routes to School measures at St Mary’s Primary School, Newtownbutler and St Joseph’s Primary School, Donagh which will be delivered as resources permit.

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