in-FO Issue 14 Winter 2025

Council Champions Key Priorities For The Region: A5 Western Transport Corridor & South West Acute Hospital Services Remain In Focus Fermanagh and Omagh District Council continues to champion two of the most significant issues impacting communities across the District; the long- awaited A5 Western Transport Corridor and the restoration of emergency general surgery services at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen. Recognising the vital importance of both projects to local people, the Council is maintaining strong lobbying efforts at every level. In partnership with neighbouring councils in Mid Ulster, Monaghan, Donegal, and Derry City & Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is calling for urgent progress on the A5 scheme. This long-delayed infrastructure project is seen as essential to the region’s future - improving road safety, reducing travel times, attracting investment, and strengthening vital cross-border and inter-regional connections. Councillors have repeatedly stressed that the A5 is not just a transport route but a lifeline for businesses, families, and emergency services. At the same time, the Council remains steadfast in its support for the Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) campaign, which continues to advocate for the reinstatement of emergency general surgery at SWAH. The loss of this service has placed additional pressure on patients and healthcare systems across the West, with many residents now required to travel long distances for urgent care. The Council is urging the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the Department of Health to take immediate action to restore these essential hospital services. Both the A5 and SWAH campaigns represent more than infrastructure and healthcare -they reflect the Council’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a safer, healthier, and more connected future for everyone across Fermanagh and Omagh. 14 in-FO Residents’ Magazine Winter 2025 A5 & SWAH