WORK HAS begun on the northern side of the Concession Road, which runs from Clones to Cavan through Fermanagh, to bring it up to standard with the South. 

Last minute shoppers from the South may have to contend with a little disruption this week, with diversions in place along the route, however according to local Cllr Thomas O’Reilly the £90,000 scheme was long overdue.

The roadworks by the northern roads agency began at just south of the road’s junction with the Drumcrin Road, on the border, on Monday and are due to continue until Friday, but may continue longer depending on the weather. With a total of 650 metres being resurfaced, diversions are in place via the Wattlebridge Road and the Clones Road. 

Cllr O’Reilly said he had been calling for works at the junction, as well as at Clones Cross, for a long time and he welcomed the works, particularly given that recent improvement works south of the border now contrasted to the poor surface here. 

“Monaghan County Council did an excellent job all the way right up to the border,” he said. “[Now] you come off a straight stretch which is very well done up and you hit a really, really uneven surface.”

He added: “We have been lobbying hard here for this road here, which in all honesty has been neglected for quite some time, to get it at least brought up to a standard other roads in the area have achieved. We don’t see why a border road like this, linking Co Monaghan, then Fermanagh, into Co Cavan, should be neglected.” 

The roads agency asked drivers to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions and to exercise care when travelling through or near the road works. 

“The Department [of Infrastructure] has programmed the work and traffic management arrangements to minimise any inconvenience, however, road users should expect some delays and are advised to leave additional time when travelling in the area,” a spokesman added.