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SDLP

SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher has called for the Department for Regional Development to develop a contingency plan in Fermanagh to ensure that large scale flooding does not close all three major bridges over Upper Lough Erne, resulting in chaos and traffic gridlock in Enniskillen.
 
Mr Gallagher said: “Firstly, I recognise that the floods experienced over the past two weeks in Fermanagh are the worst on record and extremely difficult to gauge in the prior months, however, I feel that a precedent should be set for how we react in the future.
 
“DRD Roads Service and the Rivers Agency must learn lessons from these floods and act immediately to ensure that at least one of the bridges over Lough Erne is kept open. The bridges themselves are structurally sound, but access roads have been flooded during the constant rain. These roads should be raised to ensure surface run-off and unhindered access is maintained during periods of heavy rainfall.
 
“Enniskillen, at the best of times, can experience traffic congestion and gridlock. To maintain it as a centre of commerce and tourism we must ensure that all precautions have been considered.
 
“I acknowledge that government departments are constrained by efficiency savings but the current traffic gridlock is affecting the quality of everyday life for businesses, families and schools, the most important aspects of any community. I feel that the department must find the resources to implement anti-flooding measures to the infrastructure of Fermanagh as a priority.”