Dessie McKenzie is upset that the potholes in Boho have not been filled in and continue to cause problems for motorists in the area RMG22
RESIDENTS in Boho are up in arms with one of the two main roads to Enniskillen peppered with dangerous potholes.
The Samsonagh Road, locally known as the ‘Coalbog’ road is covered with potholes on both sides, but due to department budget cuts the locals have no choice, but to grin and bear it.
Dessie McKenzie, proprietor of the Linnet Inn, Boho has said the situation is now so serious that it won’t be long until there is a major accident on the road.
“These roads have not been properly cared for many years. Since the extreme winters of 2009-2010 they have suffered extreme surface damage and they will only get worse.
“I fear it won’t be long until a major accident occurs due to the poor state of them. It is frustrating for many who use them who feel that paying their Road tax is a pointless exercise
These (potholes) are all along the same 1/4 mile stretch of road. They are on both sides . Basically you meet anything coming in either direction and you are into them.”
The Samsonagh Road has long been the subject of much local discontent with the road also liable to flooding after as little as two days of rain. Transport NI introduced raised verges on the stretch earlier this year, but the road can still be impossible to traverse in extreme weather conditions.
With work now underway on the Ora More Windfarm in neighbouring Belcoo the road is now being subjected to increased heavy traffic, another worrying issue for residents on an already treacherous road.
Dessie continued: “The construction of wind turbines in the area is going to cause further traffic problem and road damage. The company that is constructing them (National Toll Roads) have been busy constructing lay bys. These have been neatly tarred and finished in preparation for the arrival of large lorries carrying the wind turbine parts.
“The idea is you can pull into these lay-bys upon meeting heavy traffic, but when this traffic arrives on the road it will invariably damage the road further and cause more pain for motorists in the area. I know plenty of motorists who have damaged a tyre on the Boho road by hitting a pothole.”
In spite of the local concerns a spokesman for the Department for Regional Development (DRD) confirmed that the road will remain untouched.
“In the current financial situation, the Department for Regional Development can only deliver a reduced skeleton service for road maintenance. This has affected levels of service in relation to routine maintenance services such as gully cleaning, grass cutting, weed spraying and pothole and street light repairs all of which are being provided on a reduced scale.
“The Samsonagh Road is a lightly trafficked road and in line with our skeleton service only the most severe potholes can be repaired. These will be identified on inspection.”
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