Millions invested in Fermanagh and Omagh roads as improvement works continue

MILLIONS of pounds are being invested in road resurfacing, safety measures and infrastructure improvements across the Fermanagh and Omagh district, with further projects planned to improve journeys for local communities and commuters.

Members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have received an update on road maintenance and improvement works delivered during 2025/26, alongside plans for the current 2026/27 financial year.

Addressing councillors at their meeting on Monday, Divisional Roads Manager Stephen Hughes outlined the Department for Infrastructure’s investment plans, highlighting completed resurfacing schemes, ongoing projects and further measures aimed at improving road safety.

Mr Hughes said an opening indicative allocation of approximately £98 million had been provided for structural maintenance across the region for planning purposes. This represents an increase of around £30 million compared with the opening allocation in the previous financial year.

Of this funding, approximately £12.5 million has been targeted towards a Roads Recovery Fund, which will support the delivery of the highest-priority resurfacing, roadside stability and drainage projects.

The department is also developing a Transport Strategy 2035 to establish a long-term vision and strategic framework for the region’s transport network.

The strategy aims to support economic growth, strengthen regional balance, improve connectivity and promote a more sustainable transport system. It will bring key transport policy objectives together within one overarching framework, providing greater clarity on departmental decisions and the action required across government to achieve these outcomes.

Alongside this, Local Transport Plans are being developed in conjunction with councils’ Local Development Plans to ensure a more integrated approach to transport and land-use planning.

Mr Hughes emphasised that road safety remained a high priority, with the department committed to working proactively to make roads safer and address the needs of all road users.

£6.77 million resurfacing investment

Providing an update on work completed during 2025/26, Mr Hughes confirmed that £6.77 million had been invested in resurfacing across the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.

Among the key schemes completed were resurfacing works on stretches of the A5 at Curr Road, the A32 at Tummery Road in Dromore and Mossfield Road in Ballinamallard, as well as the A46 Loughshore Road in Enniskillen.

Other notable improvements included resurfacing on the B72 Meenacloy Road in Ederney and the B122 Ecclesville Road in Fintona.

A range of additional road safety and traffic management projects were also successfully completed.

These included a signalised crossing on the Omagh Road in Drumquin, four part-time 20mph schemes at schools and three traffic-calming schemes.

The projects form part of ongoing efforts to improve the condition of the local road network while making journeys safer for motorists, pedestrians and other road users.

Further improvements during 2026/27

Looking ahead, Mr Hughes confirmed that further resurfacing work had been completed during 2026/27 on the A5 Beltany Road at Mountjoy and Coneywarren, the A5 Great Northern Road, and the A32 at Irvinestown Road and Cornagrade Road.

Works are also underway on Kelvin Road in Omagh, with a number of traffic management schemes due to progress throughout the district.

The department will continue to oversee improvement works on Mountjoy, Gortin and Strathroy Roads to facilitate the development of the new Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh.

The major education project is expected to bring additional demands on the surrounding road network, making the associated infrastructure works an important part of supporting access and traffic management as the campus development progresses.

Further improvements to road safety around schools are also in the pipeline.

Mr Hughes confirmed that Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins had recently announced a fourth tranche of the part-time 20mph-at-schools programme. The latest announcement includes 15 schools in the Western Division, eight of which are within the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.

The initiative is aimed at improving safety for children and other pedestrians around school entrances during busy arrival and departure periods.

Benefits for communities and commuters

The programme of completed and planned works represents a continuing investment in the district’s transport infrastructure, from major routes linking communities to local roads serving rural areas.

Improved road surfaces, better drainage, roadside stability measures and traffic-calming initiatives all have a role to play in maintaining the network, supporting local journeys and improving safety.

Concluding his update, Mr Hughes said: “These projects will deliver significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in Fermanagh and Omagh.”