UPDATED images released by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council imagine how the Diamond in Enniskillen town centre will look following the completion of the ongoing Public Realm Scheme works.

The town is currently in the later stages of the Enniskillen Public Realm Scheme works, which are collectively updating and replacing, where necessary, a range of paving, kerbing, surface water drainage, signage, planting/landscape design, street furniture and lighting, and will include a consideration of event space.

One area of the redevelopment which has caused concern for residents and business owners is the availability of on-street parking due to the works.

Discussing the changes as part of the works, a Council spokesperson said: “Within the confines of the Public Realm scheme [Darling St. to Belmore St.] there is currently circa 920m of lined parking space, both standard and accessible, that is available.

“Upon completion of the scheme, approximately 865m of lined parking space, standard and accessible, will be provided.

"An additional approximate 115m of linear space is designated as 'loading bays'; however, discussions are ongoing to have this designated as standard parking spaces on weekday afternoons, which would create more parking space than was previously available.

"The number of accessible spaces within the confines of the Public Realm Scheme will double from its existing 11 to 22 spaces.”

Newly-released artist's impressions of the completed Diamond area works make it appear as though some benches will be removed, and that current trees and signage will be removed, with the trees being replaced.

The Impartial Reporter contacted the Council regarding the availability of town centre seating following the completion of the works, as the new images appeared to have less seating in them.

In response, a Council spokesman said: “The viewpoint of the new image does not extend to the area outside of Dolan's and Houston's.

"However, this bench remains in the proposals; the bench outside of B&M bargains has been relocated, with new benches now provided throughout the scheme in areas such as Middleton St., Market St., Church St. and East Bridge St."

Much of the town centre has been transformed as a result of the works, with some disruption continuing to impact on the town centre, depending on the current stage of works.

Currently, work is taking place at East Bridge Street, Church Street and Darling Street.

Despite the ongoing disruption, Noelle McAloon, of Enniskillen Business Improvement District (BID), welcomed the works.

She said: “We’re delighted to see it happen, but we absolutely acknowledge that it is causing some hardship whenever the builders are right outside your [business's] door.

“Everybody is saying it is needed, and [the quality of the work] is a good job, when the builders move on.

"It is a necessary annoyance at the moment, but they are moving along quite swiftly with it."

Business owners are happy that there is always access for consumers, but some have raised concerns regarding customer parking and potential stock loading, explained Noelle.

“The new public realm [works] will allow for a nicer shopping experience. [Such works] will always go down the route of widening footpaths when they can, because it is much safer for less-abled people who may use a wheelchair, or families with buggies.”

While the public works scheme has been making steady progress in the town, some concerns have been raised over how certain aspects of the town will look.

Speaking on the issue of parking, Noelle said: “The public will see there is less parking in the town centre, because there will be much more disabled spaces, and that allows for people who need to be closer to the shops to get parked."

The works will be ongoing for the next number of months. Reflecting on the upheaval in the town, Noelle said: “It’s a difficult time to be in business, with the Coronavirus and throwing the public realm scheme [works] on top of it, but [such improvement works] have been needed for many years.”