Enniskillen community encouraged to have their say on wider benefits of the bypass

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd is encouraging the local community in Enniskillen to have their say on the wider benefits they would like to see delivered as part of the A4 Enniskillen Bypass.

Construction of the new southern bypass of the County Fermanagh town is to begin next year.  In preparation for the appointment of the main contractor, the local community are being asked to provide feedback on the additional benefits or social value they want to see as part of the scheme. Social value refers to wider financial and non-financial impacts on the wellbeing of individuals, communities and the environment.

The Enniskillen Bypass scheme is the first of the Department’s major roads projects where the competitive tenders for the public contract will be assessed on the basis of social value, as well as cost and quality.

Minister O’Dowd said:

“Delivery of road schemes can result in disruption during the building phase.  While the completion of the scheme will see benefits around journey times, road safety and better air quality, in recognition of the inevitable upheaval during construction, local communities should have a say on wider benefits.   

“This can take many forms including employment, apprenticeship or skill development opportunities for local people.  It could also be support for health and well-being initiatives or community engagement.  

“Local communities know their own needs better than any of us and this is their opportunity to derive maximum benefits from this particular road improvement scheme.  I encourage the local residents and the business community to take part in this public engagement exercise and provide their feedback.” 

The survey is open online at the following link https://forms.office.com/e/tzpuhGNuPB  and will close on 5 May at 5pm. 

Notes to editors: 

1. The A4 Enniskillen Bypass aim is to provide a direct link between the A4 Dublin Road to the east of the town and the A4 Sligo Road to the west, via the A509 Derrylin Road.
2. More information about the planned bypass and the survey is available here: Social Value Engagement Survey - A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4.  Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn
5.  The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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