FIRST Minister and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster has said she will be raising the concerns of local people about the lack of action from the Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, in relation to the Southern Bypass.

Mrs. Foster said: “This is a project which would transform the traffic problems [when] approaching Enniskillen, which we have all grown accustomed to.

“Whilst I am First Minister, this project falls entirely under the remit of the SDLP Infrastructure Minister.

“I hear the concerns that people have about the lack of movement [on this project] and I am equally dismayed that a request to meet the Minister has been kicked into the long grass, with the Minister offering a date in June.

“It’s not really good enough. I am urging the Minister to give a detailed public Ministerial statement in the NI Assembly as to what action she is taking to move this project forward.

“This project commenced in 2006, and eventually got budget approval last June. It is almost 12 months later, without any material sign of progress.

“In Fermanagh, there is growing frustration that the Minister is not acting, and [is] causing delay on a project that has a wealth of support.

“I continue to urge the Minister to get on with the job of delivery in the West, and I will be ensuring that this comes to fruition as soon as possible,” said the First Minister.