REGIONAL Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out TransportNI’s progress on investment totalling £4.4million for road schemes in Fermanagh this year.

Last night (Monday) TransportNI met with members of Fermanagh District Council.

Reflecting on the work completed to date, Mr. Kennedy said the impact of he current budget pressures was affecting road improvement schemes and routine maintenance of the road network.

Despite this, he said he remained committed to continuing to develop both local transport and safety measures and resurfacing schemes to enhance safety.

“A wide range of maintenance and road improvement schemes is planned or already complete in the Fermanagh District Council area.

“Work on the £250,000 resurfacing contract on the A4 Belfast Road at Tattenaheglish was completed in September 2014. This essential road improvement scheme involved resurfacing of 1.2km of carriageway and this will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of the carriageway on this main route between Enniskillen and Belfast.

“The autumn round of council meetings is a timely opportunity for councils to discuss potential schemes and priorities.

“The impact of current budget pressures on my Department is affecting road improvement schemes and routine maintenance of the road network. While there remain pressures on capital budgets, Departmental officials will continue to develop both local transport and safety measures and resurfacing schemes to enhance safety, improve traffic flow and provide measures for pedestrians and cyclists. I will, however, continue to bid in monitoring rounds for further funding that would allow the integrity of the road network to be maintained and improved.

“Officials from my Department are currently engaging with the chief executives of the new councils to ensure the transition from 26 to 11 Councils enables us to continue our good working relationships with councillors and the new councils.” During last night's meeting, Divisional Manager Conor Loughrey highlighted a number of improvement schemes currently planned or progressed.

He welcomed the completion of an improvement to the sightlines at C425 Teiges Hill and U9428 Carrickyheenan Road, Brookeborough, also the B107 Clabby Road/U9578 Killyliss Road junction, Clabby and the substantial completion of the cycle track at the A4 Dublin Road/U6513 Lough Yoan Road, Enniskillen. Work has also started on the provision of a footway on the U8262 Sheetrim Road, Derrylin.

He added: “I am also pleased to report the inclusion of a sightline improvement scheme on the A3 Clones Road/U9146 Derrygoas Road and a proposal to develop improvements to the A509 Derrylin Road/C436 Innishmore Road crossroads.”