ROADS SERVICE will go some way to addressing the state of roads in the county, with planned road works to tackle the hot spots of Lisnaskea and Derrylin main streets scheduled for May and July/August respectively.
The move though is unlikely to appease local Sinn Fein councillor, Ruth Lynch
She feels roads in Erne East need urgent repair and resurfacing but are being ignored due to the prioritisation of work around Enniskillen due to the G8 Summit.
Speaking at last Monday’s monthly Council meeting, she explained how roads in Erne East are being delayed because of the G8.
Addressing the meeting she said: “Main Street Lisnaskea is an absolute disgrace. 18 months ago we looked for white lines, and we were told the whole Main Street was being done.”
She recalled a recent experience where she had parked on the street and had inadvertently taken up half of a disabled space.
“You couldn’t see it,” she added.
Councillor Lynch said that she had been informed that the long evenings would mean the work would be done quicker, but, having since contacted Roads Service, she had been informed the work had been put back due to the G8.
“They said July, but two weeks later that could be August and another it could be September.”
The Councillor asked for some clarification over what money was available for the main roads and the back roads.
When the council’s chief executive, Brendan Hegarty said he was not entirely sure there was money available, Councillor Lynch replied: “That would make it worse.”
Brian McCaffrey, who is from Roslea, said he was mindful of the fact that it was not the people of areas like Derrygannon (near Roslea) who invited the G8 to Fermanagh, but David Cameron and, so, he should be paying for the cost of it.
And, the chairman, Thomas O’Reilly, Newtownbutler, suggested that the work on roads for the G8 ‘may not just account for this year’s budget, but could use up the budget for a couple of years’.
Stephen Huggett, Garrison, called the situation, ‘absolutely disgraceful’. “To prettify up almost the whole section of the road and give the general public the view that this is how our roads are, is disgraceful.”
Mr Hegarty then suggested they should first hear the response from Roads Service.
When Councillor O’Reilly noted that the Crom Road had been ‘worked on’, Alison Brimstone, Kesh, suggested the Summit would provide a lot of positives for Fermanagh and put the area on the map, describing it as, a ‘fantastic opportunity’.
A Roads Service spokesperson commented: “Roads Service is working with contractors to finalise the programme of work. It is expected that the improvements in Derrylin will take place during May, while work in Lisnaskea is expected to be carried out during July and August.”
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