No-go zone to hold up work on new bypass

Environment Minister Alex Attwood has imposed a no-go zone on the area around the site of an ancient crannog settlement which is located in the path of the new Cherrymount bypass currently being built in Enniskillen.

Work on the new link road will be affected while archaeologists examine the site which is said to be of huge historical significance and while its future is uncertain it seems likely that the new road will go ahead through the site of the crannog.

Mr Attwood, who visited the site today, said: “Today I spent a few hours at the crannog in Enniskillen and it is a wonderful site, full of our history and precious archaeology. That is why I instructed that a no-go zone be created around the site, with a ban on any construction traffic passing near or close to the crannog to protect the asset. This is necessary and I ask all to cooperate with me in so doing.

“I have requested a report by Wednesday on what further time, staff and resources are needed to fully excavate the crannog. As one of the very few to be excavated, I wish to deploy appropriate resources to fully excavate and record this gem of archaeology. If the Crannog cannot now be saved, I will work to have a maximum excavation and record strategy going forward.

“There are clearly other and wider issues. I will appoint an independent person or persons to review the full story of this site, including how the current situation developed. Indeed, with major road developments in the pipeline, how known and unknown heritage sites are protected is an issue that I will be robustly interrogating.”