Upgrade works will be necessary on 49% of Fermanagh's roads by 2015, a local assemblyman has claimed.

SDLP MLA Tommy Gallagher received figures from the Department of Regional Development acknowledging substantial repairs would be needed over the next five years.

Roads Minister Conor Murphy told Mr Gallagher 49% of the trunk road network has a residual life of less than five years.

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"The level of neglect of Fermanagh roads is well known, but what has been revealed in this answer is astonishing," said Mr Gallagher.

"These trunk roads are our key corridors and include the A4, A46 and the A509 which are our main routes to Belfast, Dublin, Sligo and Donegal."

He suggested that unless investment is found, there is a "real fear" that these roads will "begin to crumble just as our minor roads have".

"Unless something is done quickly, the local economy will be severely restricted. As a member of the Regional Development Committee I am going to press the department to give the case for urgent improvement works to our roads a greater priority," he added.

(PR)