Thousands of visitors to Cuilcagh Mountain Boardwalk have “done more damage to the area in the last 12 months than farmers have in the past 100 years” a Florencecourt resident has said. 
The farmer, who did not wish to be named, said the Marlbank road leading to the popular wooden tourist attraction has become an “absolute disgrace” following an influx in vehicles in the past year.
“The visitors park their cars along the edges of the road, wherever they want to. They are ruining the grass verges, they are damaging the road, they are throwing out their rubbish and cups of tea on the ground. The side of the road is just as important to protect as the blanket bog,” he said.
More than 10 potholes have been spotted outside the entrance to the “informal” car park which was closed by the landowner due to “some issues” last week. 
The damage to the road and grass verges stretches for more than a mile and a half.
“Not only is it damaging to the area but to the safety of motorists. Some of the drivers would nearly driver over you when you are going up and down that road,” said the farmer. 
“I would like to know if the same amount of cars were to park along the main Belfast road would the police move them? I think they probably would,” he said. 

Impartial Reporter:

“The people in charge of maintaining the roads cover up the mess now and again with a few stones. But they are penny wise and pound foolish, if you ask me,” he said.
Independent Councillor Bernice Swift said the state of the road is “discernibly deplorable” and said she has raised the issue “with the highest levels of Transport NI and associated government departments.”
Councillor Swift is calling for the issue to be resolved immediately and wants to see “significant investment and all the necessary resources” to make the road safe, to maintain it and ensure it is “always passable for all ratepayers in the area and our increasing tourist trade embarking on the ‘stairway to heaven’,” she said.
“I am not asking for the stairway to be paved with gold but certainly there’s bitumen of some description to sort out Cuilcagh roads?” remarked Councillor Swift.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA, Jemma Dolan, meanwhile, said: “It’s a shame that the success of one of the greatest tourist attractions in this county is being restricted due to poor infrastructure and road conditions.
“If this was a U-Class road leading to a tourist attraction in Belfast or on the North Coast, it would have been seen to immediately. So not only in the interests of visitors to the area, but that of the local people, especially the farming community, DfI Roads needs to step up to the mark here and ensure the road gets the necessary attention.”

A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: "The Department is currently in discussion with the Council regarding the condition of the access road leading to the Cuilcagh Boardwalk near Marble Arch Caves in County Fermanagh."