THE National Roads Authority (NRA) confirmed this week that work on the €61m four-mile Belturbet by-pass should be completed by next March.
It will help speed up through traffic out of and into Fermanagh but, as with all by-passes, it can be seen in opposing ways.
In Belturbet’s case, it has been by-passed since last August, but according to one local businessman, Francis Cahill, owner of The Seven Horseshoes and Restaurant, it has made little impact on his trade.
However, he stressed that that was down to a lot of hard work on the part of his staff, and, he challenged Cavan County Council to keep their promise to erect signage on the approach roads into Belturbet.
“As I say, there has been no great change in my own business. Apart from our staff input, which is what I am putting a lot of it down to, we have had a lot of support from Fermanagh as well.
The 5.5 km section between Staghall Roundabout and Drumalure, was opened in August, and helped divert the heavy N3 traffic volumes from the streets of Belturbet in time for the ‘Festival of the Erne’ on August bank holiday weekend.
This week, a spokesman for Cavan Council advised road users to take due care and attention on this new stretch of road, and be mindful of the new junction layouts.
He added: “Particular care should be taken on approach to the Aghnaguig Bog Bridge site /Annagh Lake area where traffic management will continue to be in place for a number of months.
“The road opens up an area of scenic beauty along the banks of the River Erne and Putiaghan Bog and will improve road safety and reduce journey times to the west Cavan Area.”
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