Local Councillors have called for Fermanagh to get a share of the £10m allocated to improve the structural maintenance of roads
FURTHER investment in our local roads is a necessity according to a number of local councillors. In light of an extra £10m allocated to the Roads Service for structural maintenance, Erne East Councillor Sheamus Greene said investment in Fermanagh must be a priority
He stated: “The pothole epidemic that is gripping Fermanagh at the moment is the result of filling in the odd pothole instead of doing a proper resurfacing job on roads which clearly need major work. I understand that the money isn’t always available to do this, but now is an opportunity to at least make a start.”
Sheamus then rattled off a number of roads in Erne East that, he felt, would benefit from investment.
Over in Derrygonnelly, Erne West Councillor Bernice Swift called the roads in her area, “disgraceful”, and said £10m was not enough to remedy the problems that exist.
She said, “Erne West drivers pay heavy road tax to drive on disgraceful roads, so it is time Government paid us back with necessary investment. Our tarmacing men are more than willing to carry out work, all of which would create local jobs, but significant investment is needed from government.”
A similar appeal went out from Erne North Councillor, Rosemary Barton who lives in Lack.
While she accepts that Road Service do the best they can with their very limited budget allocation, ‘improvements must be made’.
“Within Erne North’, she said, “the greatest priority is the implementation of the Strategic Route Improvement schemes for the A32 from Omagh to Enniskillen, especially those already identified at Drumbulcan, Sidare and Kilgortnaleague all around the Irvinestown area. Further to this, a resurfacing of the A32 from Trory to the South-west Acute hospital is needed.”
She felt that improvements could also be made in the form of ‘staggering’ at Ardess Cross, thus making it safer, given its history of road accidents.
At present, Roads Service is currently in the process of prioritising schemes which can be delivered this financial year, as and when ready to go.
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