THE state of the road leading to the health centre in Belleek continues to stir debate among people in the area.
The road, described as ‘unsatisfactory’, leads from the village to Rathmore Clinic which provides GP and other health services for the area.
But, with questions over just who owns the road, the repair or resurfacing is an issue that is continually placed on the back burner.
Roads Service said this week that the ‘lane is privately owned’ – and while the Church of Ireland, the health centre itself, as well as the Water Service (who own a reservoir further up the lane), all have an interest in terms of access, it is not officially registered to anyone.
Roads Service added that the lane, ‘which is ‘adoptable’ in principle, would have to be brought up to the required standard before adoption could take place’.
A resident in the area said that the clinic and its parking is an ‘everlasting source of ‘talkability’ around Belleek, Garrison and surrounding areas’.
“Firstly the car park is nearly always full so a lot of people abandon cars quite recklessly which leads to problems with access, most importantly for emergency vehicles,” he explained.
“There is no dedicated footpath and the area most would determine to walk upon is pretty rough with a few ramps edging on to the road from a row of houses alongside. It’s very easy for even the more able bodied to trip on it.
“Then there are potholes and surfaces of different properties to add to the mix,” he added.
The issue has been raised in council on a number of occasions by the SDLP’s Erne North Councillor, John O’Kane. His party colleague, John Coyle, who lives in Belleek said this week that, having completed a land registry search, it is not registered to anybody.
Cllr O’Kane said that the issue has been ‘ongoing for some time now’.
“It can be quite dangerous for people – there could be arguments as to why the health centre was built there in the first place,” he said.
“It’s several months ago since it was last brought up and nothing seems to be happening at it. We thought we could use some of the money from the village plan but that hasn’t proven possible.”
But, if the road is not registered to anyone – then who’s responsibility is it?
“If it’s private land the council can’t fix it even if it’s in the public interest,” Cllr O’Kane added.
“The concern is that somebody could be injured There have been general complaints, it’s not satisfactory and it’s a bad image for Belleek.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere