MOTORISTS in Enniskillen: if you want a Southern Bypass like former Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy proposed over a year ago you are going to have to get in the queue. 


Roads Minister Michelle McIlveen told Sinn Fein’s Browyn McGahan on Monday that there are a number of priority road schemes in Northern Ireland but a bypass in Enniskillen isn’t on the list. 


“The preferred alignment to the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass was published in June 2015. Further progression of the project, through the statutory procedures to construction, are dependent on the availability of finance. Should finance become available, it would take around 18 months to two years before work could start,” she said. 


In response, Ms. McGahan asked: “Does the Minister agree with me that, following the capital funding for the A5 and the A6, it is vital that this bypass becomes a priority?”


“Obviously, this matter is a priority in Fermanagh. However, the pace of the development of all major road schemes is very much dependent on financial resources, and, at this time the Executive’s priority is being given to the A5, A8, A6, A26 and the Magherafelt bypass. So, whilst it is a priority, it has other projects ahead of it,” replied Minister Michelle McIlveen.