Work is ongoing at Ora More Windfarm substation RMG01
RESIDENTS in Boho are hoping that a dangerous stretch of road will be fixed in the near future.
The Samsonagh Road, locally known as the ‘Coalbog’ road, one of the two main roads to Enniskillen, has been covered with dangerous potholes on both sides, leaving those in the area up in arms for many months.
However, due to budget cuts and with the addition of major construction works taking place at a nearby site, locals have had no choice but to grin and bear it.
The Samsonagh Road has long been the subject of much local discontent as the road is also prone to regular flooding. Transport NI introduced raised verges on the stretch early last year and some potholes have been filled in over recent weeks, but residents say the road can still be dangerous in extreme weather conditions.
In recent months, work has been underway on the £23m Ora More Windfarm in neighbouring Belcoo meaning that the road has been subjected to increased heavy traffic, another worrying issue for residents on what they say is an already treacherous stretch.
Dessie McKenzie of the Linnet Inn in Boho says the roads have not been properly cared for many years.
“The situation hasn’t been helped by surface damage caused by extreme weather and heavy construction traffic. It is frustrating for many people including myself who are paying their road tax and wondering what the point of it is when our roads are left in this state.
“The construction of wind turbines in the area has caused further traffic problem and road damage with over 100 lorries going up and down it every day. The company involved have said that this heavy plant stage of the work is almost complete and that the road will then be resurfaced and widened to cater for the large vehicles that will eventually transport the turbines to the site. We have been promised that the road will be in a much better condition once this is done and we are hopeful that this will be the case,” he said.
A spokesman for the Department for Regional Development (DRD) confirmed that, depending on funding, part of the road may be resurfaced in the near future.
“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 have been identified and repaired on inspection. Subject to funding in the next financial year, there is a section of Samsonagh Road in the area of the Acers Cross side of Killycat Bridge included in a resurfacing programme,” he added.
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