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Tensions remain high in the Ports Road area of Newtownbutler with residents holding a protest outside the PSNI station in Lisnaskea on Tuesday, August 23 to highlight their concerns about the lack of progress with the reopening of Ports Road and the public right of way to the Upper Lough Erne foreshore.
Ports Road, Newtownbutler – which leads to a public quay on the shores of Lough Erne – has been sealed off from the public with gates and boulders and continues to cause “significant hardship to local farmers who cannot access their livestock on nearby islands”.
The quay was used to launch boats, fishing, water sports and to bring animals back from islands on the lough, but since the erection of the fence, all activity has stopped.
The dispute regarding access to the quay has been ongoing for more than 12 months. A number of incidents have occurred as a result, some of which have ended up in court.
A spokesperson on behalf of those protesting on Tuesday explained that there has been a lack of progress regarding the reopening of the road despite the fact that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council found in favour of residents’ petition to assert a public right of way to the foreshore via Ports Road in January this year, by a unanimous decision of all councillors.
Ports Road Residents Marie Mohan & Jim Cripps hoping to welcome back visitors to the Lough soon.
“Residents have been informed that council officials have yet to initiate the relevant legal proceedings to have the matter heard in the county court.
“Ports Road, leading to Lough Erne, remains blocked by a barrier and has caused significant hardship to local farmers who cannot access their livestock on nearby islands during the summer grazing season.
“At present this results in a five-mile detour by road to access the lough at a less favourable location for transporting livestock.
“The local community expressed their frustration at the protest to PSNI officers, who are well aware of the tension this has caused in the area,” said the spokesperson.
The Impartial Reporter contacted the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, asking why there has been a lack of progress with the reopening of Ports Road, and about the public right of way to the Upper Lough Erne foreshore.
In response, a Council spokesperson said: “[The Council] considered the issue of the Ports Road Public Right of Way at the Regeneration and Community Committee meeting in January.
“The Council is currently awaiting the judgement of the court in relation to the assertion of an unrelated Public Right of Way, as this may impact on how future public right of way assertions are progressed.
“The issue at Ports Road will be progressed following that judgement.”
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