A MUCH-NEEDED road upgrade will lead to lengthy delays for residents, but one local councillor has said: “Given the current condition of the road, the inconvenience of any diversions or lane closures will be worth it to see this road complete.”

Councillor Adam Gannon was speaking following the announcement of a major road improvement scheme for the A509 Derrylin Road at Derryhowlaght.

Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon announced the new scheme on Monday.

The £520,000 major road improvement scheme for the A509 Derrylin Road at Derryhowlaght, Enniskillen, will commence next Monday, June 21, and is expected to take approximately 12 weeks to complete.

The scheme, which will include carriageway road widening, realignment and resurfacing works, is the final stage of a three-stage project, at a cost of approximately £1.2 million.

Speaking to this newspaper, Councillor Gannon said: “The announcement by Nichola Mallon that the work at Derryhowlaght will be finished this summer is brilliant news.

"I've been working closely with the Minister to deliver this, and after years of neglect by previous Infrastructure Ministers, the SDLP have delivered this long-awaited work.

“This improvement to the Derrylin Road will bring a much-needed improvement in safety and the overall quality of the road.”

Minister Mallon said: “I am pleased to announce this further significant investment in the Derryhowlaght area. During the works, the opportunity will also be taken to introduce a new footway on the western side of the realigned carriageway.

"The completion of this scheme will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of this section of the road network, and will deliver significant benefits for all road users on this busy cross-Border road.”

To ensure the safety of road users and workers it will be necessary to initially operate a number of lane closures; however, a full road closure will be put in place from July 19 for approximately seven weeks.

A two-way diversion route will be signed via the A32 Swanlinbar Road and the A4 Sligo Road between Enniskillen and Derrylin.

The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience; however, road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the area.