Almost £7m is to be invested in Fermanagh road works, it has been announced.

Unveiling the funding, Transport Minister Conor Murphy revealed design work on a number of carriageway improvement schemes on the A32 Omagh to Enniskillen Road is progressing well.

He said a scheme to realign and widen the carriageway at Sidaire is currently well advanced, and work could commence later this year if land acquisition is successful.

"The A32 Cherrymount Link Road continues to make good progress with the Environmental Statement, Notice to Proceed Direction Order and Vesting Order being published in March 2009. It is the intention to commence on site during 2010," said the Minister.

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A consultants has been appointed to commence route selection work for the proposed Enniskillen Southern Bypass.

This proposal involves the provision of single-carriageway to bypass Enniskillen from the A4 Belfast Road to the A4 Sligo Road.

Other works currently underway in the area include the A4 Dualling, from the M1 motorway to Ballygawley, due to open to traffic in Winter 2010, and the A4 Annaghilla realignment, due to open to traffic in Autumn of this year."

Mr Murphy said this year's increased allocation for structural maintenance would allow a larger number of major trunk road resurfacing schemes such as a 3km stretch of the A4 Belfast Road at Maguiresbridge, (Aghavea) to proceed.

Road Service's Divisional Roads Manager Pat Doherty said significant schemes which will be taken forward in the area this year include: completion of the replacement of Belcoo Bridge; replacement of Thompsons Bridge on the A509 Enniskillen to Derrylin Road; traffic calming throughout Irvinestown; Safer Routes to Schools projects at St Joseph's and St Michael's, Enniskillen and Tempo PS; and provision of a controlled crossing on Cornagrade Road at Rooney’s Shop.

(PR/JM)