A BUS stop where schoolchildren get off a bus before having to cross the road to get picked up has come one step closer to getting a new pick-up and set-down area.

The Dernawilt crossroads has long been a hazardous spot where children have to navigate across the road, that has a 60mph speed limit.

Locals have called on something to be done, as there have been some close calls, while road traffic collisions have taken place at the road.

In 2019, a 14-year-old boy was left in critical condition when he was struck by a car after getting off the bus.

The Department of Infrastructure (DfI) has confirmed that “a project to provide a new pick-up and set-down area with associated parking will be considered”.

A DfI spokesperson said: “A meeting recently took place between the DfI, transport providers and the PSNI about pedestrian safety at Dernawilt crossroads.

“We are currently liaising with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to arrange a suitable date and time for the annual spring meeting with the Council, when officials will present a report which will confirm ... the proposed works programmes for 2021-2022.

“A project to provide a new pick-up and set-down area with associated parking will be considered with all other ... projects in the Council area when developing the 2021-2022 works programme for this report.”

Independent councillor for Erne West, Eamon Keenan, who has been in contact with the DfI about the crossroads, welcomed the progress but hopes that the project can be expedited as quickly as possible.

He said: “Locals have been complaining a long time about it, but this is progress. They [officials] are not saying it’s definitely going to be done, but it’s on the list. They recognised the problems and they have put it down as a project; it’s just a matter of when.”

While Councillor Keenan knows there is no definitive timeframe officials are working to, he hopes something can be done sooner rather than later.

“I’ll be pushing for it to be done as soon as possible. The problem was the children had to cross to the other side of the road.

“[On] dark evenings, there is a real danger with visibility, as you approach [the spot] you come around a corner.”

Councillor Keenan says that there is a spot across the road which has been earmarked for the potential site in question, and has indicated the landowner is willing to work with the relevant authorities to come to some arrangement.