The inaugural meeting of the newly formed N16/A4 Cross-County Roads Lobby Group took place recently in the Rainbow Ballroom, Glenfarne. This new group has been formed as a result of the actions of the North Leitrim Community Development Network in its efforts to lobby for improvements in the condition and safety of the crossborder N16/A4 roads. The N16/A4 roads constitutes the main direct route from Sligo to the M1 motorway near Dungannon and en route the N16/A4 roads link Manorhamilton, Glenfarne, Blacklion, Belcoo, Letterbreen, Enniskillen, Fivemiletown, Clogher and Ballygawley. The Cross-County Lobby Group for the N16/A4 roads draws its membership from county councillors, district councillors, county engineers and business representatives from north and south of the border and it represents the counties of Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh. This type of cross-border and cross-county lobby group may well be the first of its kind on the island of Ireland. Meanwhile at their inaugural meeting in Glenfarne members of the new group expressed serious concern regarding the lack of progress on the development of the N16/A4 route, which is affecting the expansion and economic development of the whole of the north west region. The group will work for road improvements along the east/west corridor (Sligo to Dundalk) and link up with other groups, as and when appropriate. The group will focus on demonstrating to the governments, north and south, the detrimental effects to the north west region, should this route not be improved. The next meeting of the group will take place in early September. The group has 18 members and Leitrim Council has agreed to be the lead council member in taking actions to progress the group’s objectives, while it will also provide administrative support for the group. Glenfarne Councillor Sean Mc- Dermott has been appointed chairperson) of the N16/A4 group. Members agreed to take a cross-party approach in the work that requires to be done, and to make each other aware of any local issues that might be affected by this lobby campaign. At the September meeting it is planned to engage with politicians from each four counties who should have an interest in seeing the road upgraded together with the MEPs for the region. At the October meeting it is hoped to discuss a new report by Peter Quinn based upon his consultancy work for Sligo County Council and Fermanagh District Council. Mr Quinn’s report is expected to address the issue of upgrading the N16/A4 route.