Infrastructure Minister visits Fermanagh and Omagh

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Nichola Mallon has today visited Fermanagh and Omagh as part of a series of engagements.

The Minister met with representatives of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, as part of the Mid-South West (MSW) region group of Councils, at the Council’s Headquarters in Omagh and discussed a number of strategic issues linked to the MSW Growth Deal including progress on the Enniskillen Southern bypass.

The decision to proceed with the bypass was announced earlier this year on May 11, with the estimated cost of the scheme ranging from £25m – £30m. The scheme will help to significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Enniskillen town centre, reducing delays, and improving average journey times by approximately fifty percent, as well as improving road safety.

The Minister also visited Arvalee Special school and Christ the King Primary School in Omagh where part-time 20mph signs are installed at both schools. In addition, the Minister visited the recently completed £200,000 active travel scheme on the Old Mountfield Road. The works carried out here included approximately 500 metres of new shared use cycleway and footway, a controlled crossing close to Omagh Leisure Centre and carriageway resurfacing.

Concluding the day’s engagements, Minister Mallon visited Waterways Ireland headquarters in Enniskillen and met with CEO John McDonagh. The Minister saw first-hand the ambitious plan by Waterways Ireland to develop a sustainable waterway network which will contribute significantly to recreational, social, economic and environmental life across the island. The Minister was also briefed on a range of key projects including the 10 year Strategy and Waterways Ireland’s draft Climate Action Plan, currently undergoing public consultation.

Speaking during the visits Minister Mallon said, “I was delighted to be back in Fermanagh and Omagh today. I have reaffirmed my clear commitment to the Enniskillen Southern bypass to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council representatives.

“At Waterways Ireland I was briefed on their Climate Action Plan. Climate change is something that affects all of us and Waterways Ireland, through its Climate Action Plan, is putting climate action at the heart of its decision making going forward.

“And I also had the privilege of visiting Arvalee Special School and Christ the King Primary School and meeting with pupils and staff and witnessing the positive impact that the installation, by my Department, of part-time 20mph signs has had on increasing road safety outside both schools.”