Lorries took it slow as they passed through the floods between Lisnaskea and Derrylin earlier this year RMG14
“No commitments” can be given to planned road improvements in Fermanagh to future-proof against flooding.
Despite an announcement in January from Regional Development Minister Michelle McIlveen that £625,000 would be allocated for key roads impacted by flooding there are now fresh doubts over whether the money will ever become available.
As part of the extra funding allocated from the Northern Ireland Executive to the Department for Regional Development the B127 Derrylin Road, Lisnaskea; the B533 Wattlebridge Road, Newtownbutler and the C436 Inishmore Road, Maguiresbridge were set to be raised and a number of other local schemes carried out to deal with areas affected by flooding.
Now it seems this work is in jeopardy after a letter was sent to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council from the private secretary of the Minister. In the correspondence Ruth Galway says: “With the money available it is the department’s intention to address the three main routes across Lough Erne as these will provide the greatest public benefit”, but crucially later in the letter she confirms: “Improvements to these roads will be considered, but due to the uncertainty around the levels of funding that might be available, no commitments can be given at this time. Discussion will also continue with Rivers Agency to see if action by them can help mitigate the impact in some areas.”
Erne East Sinn Fein councillor Thomas O’Reilly called on the Minister to honour her commitment to improving the roads in Fermanagh.
“I would certainly be calling for that commitment to be honoured to allow main avenues into County Fermanagh to remain open when there is flood water. These roads only need to be raised by a couple of inches to allow people to access their homes and indeed tourist facilities.”
In the same letter the private secretary refers to the Minister’s visit to Boho last month and states “this enabled the minister to fully appreciate the range of problems caused by flooding in these areas.”
Local Independent councillor Bernice Swift is not convinced.
“With reference to the Minister’s recent visit to Boho, she has failed to make any time or genuine effort to meet with the elected representatives or appropriate delegation to highlight all flooding concerns which could and should provide practicable action required whenever severe flooding hits this area again.
“All those who have been adversely affected by the negative impacts of flooding in Boho and Derrygonnelly are once again awakened to the failures of central government departments of these issues, the DRD Minister must return to Fermanagh with a genuine spirit of addressing the issues and not just a media appearance or photo opportunity on the same.”
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