Debate contribution: A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass

Debate contribution by Mr Patrick Brown on 20 February 2024.

MLA

Mr Patrick Brown

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

20 February 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Adjournment

Heading

A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4381304

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for bringing this debate to the Chamber, the subject matter of which is important to the well-being of many in her constituency and to the sustainable development of Enniskillen town and the wider area. I welcomed the Minister of Finance's statement, yesterday, announcing the release of £16·2 million as part of the wider financial package, which will allow a further £12·5 million to be drawn down from the Mid South West growth deal and enable this project to move to the procurement stage. Indeed, this is a very good day for roads across the North. As my party's infrastructure spokesperson, I take this opportunity to welcome the positive announcement from the Irish Government this afternoon regarding the A5 and Narrow Water bridge, amongst other important projects. That €800 million investment is a further positive step towards realising the huge potential of the €3·5 billion Shared Island Fund to build North/South connectivity, which will crucially also alleviate pressure on the already stretched capital budgets of the Executive. It is worth noting that the Enniskillen southern bypass has been in the works for a significant time. It was first formally proposed in the 'Expanding the Strategic Road Improvement Programme 2015' in 2006, with planning starting two years after that in 2008 and the preferred route being announced in 2015. As the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone laid out, however, it was talked about well before her or I were around. To date, £2 million-worth of advance site works have taken place, so this funding to enable the procurement and construction phases to begin is the final positive step for this important roads project. The proposed scheme has strong cross-party support. My colleague in the Enniskillen district electoral area (DEA), Councillor Eddie Roofe, has been working closely with other local parties and stakeholders to push the plans forward. At just 3 kilometres, this is a relatively minor works project, but it will have a huge impact on traffic flow and addressing congestion in Enniskillen town. That will pay considerable dividends in terms of air pollution, ease of access to the town centre and reducing traffic, which is particularly important for the safety of schoolchildren and pedestrians. The reduction of vehicular travel may also open up the opportunity for smaller-scale complementary infrastructure schemes in Enniskillen town, such as cycle lanes, one-way systems and pedestrian zones, which can promote active travel and enhance the vibrancy of a town centre. Given the rural nature of the area, the continued reliance of the local population on cars and the absence of viable public transport options — I lament Fermanagh's exclusion from the all-island rail review — schemes such as this are vital for securing the growth and the well-being of rural communities. This road will also be vital, as upgrades to the A32 Omagh to Enniskillen road are, for ensuring that there is timely and safe access to emergency services at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). There was great concern across the local area when funding for this project was put on hold as a result of these institutions being suspended for two years. This announcement by the Minister is a welcome statement of what this place can deliver when it is functioning. I only hope that the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Finance are paying similar attention to the need to finally deliver the long-awaited Ballynahinch bypass, which is right on the edge of my constituency. I also wish to put on record the long-term aspiration and need for an eastern bypass around the county town of Downpatrick.

605 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not qualifying

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:42 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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