Enniskillen will remain open for business during utility works

Enniskillen town centre will remain open for business during utility works required in advance of the commencement of the £5.2m public realm scheme.

Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Howard Thornton, said: “Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has been working with utility providers to ensure that upgrade works to their systems and infrastructure are undertaken before the Enniskillen Public Realm Scheme works to future proof and protect the improvements to the town's streetscape".

“Enniskillen will remain open for business during all works with the utility companies carrying out their works on a phased basis to minimise disruption."

SGN Natural Gas has announced it will start constructing new infrastructure in Enniskillen town centre in the new year as part of an exciting multi-million pounds investment scheme for the area. The company which is responsible for extending the new natural gas network into eight towns in the western area, will commence distribution work on Monday 7th January 2019.

SGN Natural Gas is the first of a number of utility companies which will be developing state-of-the-art infrastructure as part of the Enniskillen Public Realm Scheme designed to make the town an even more attractive place in which to live, work, visit and do business.

Distribution work is necessitated to allow the natural gas to flow from town gateways into individual streets where it can be accessed by homes and businesses connecting to the network in due course.

Confirming that Kier, the contractors responsible for the distribution phase will begin work in Enniskillen on 7th January, David Butler, Head of Engineering with SGN Natural Gas, explained that given the significance of the new energy infrastructure being developed, the work could last for approximately seven months.

However, he stressed the contractor would endeavour to complete the work earlier than scheduled where possible. SGN Natural Gas has currently suspended roadworks in all town centre areas to facilitate the busy Christmas trading period.

Looking ahead to the work which will commence in Enniskillen town centre on 7th January, Mr. Butler continued: “In order to bring the benefits of natural gas to the area and to ensure the safety of the general public and our operatives, we have agreed with Transport NI to operate a number of traffic management plans that may involve road closures, lane closures and traffic lights being implemented.” Any closures that may be required will be dictated by ground conditions when the work actually starts.

Work is scheduled to be carried out in Anne Street, Darling Street, Church Street, High Street, The Diamond, Town Hall Street and East Bridge Street.

SGN Natural Gas has engaged directly with local traders prior to work commencing and this is ongoing. Businesses and residents on the various routes will also be notified on an ongoing basis. Any lane closures agreed with Transport NI in advance will have signage in place to direct traffic.

The Enniskillen Public Realm Scheme is a £5.2 million project, with investment from the Department for Communities and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, which will see improvements to footpaths, street lighting, landscaping and street furniture.

Footpaths and road verges in Enniskillen will be 'made good' with a temporary finish once the utility providers have completed their works. The Enniskillen Public Realm Scheme will replace the footpaths with high quality paving and resurface the road in its entirety.

Information on all SGN Natural Gas roadworks is also updated on a regular basis here.