St Patrick's Day Traffic and Travel arrangements

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, encouraged local people to preplan their journeys and heed the advice of the PSNI and festival stewards to help minimise disruption.

“With excitement building ahead of Friday’s climax of the Spring Carnival celebrations, thousands of local people are expected in to converge on the centre of Derry and Strabane,” she said.

“As always with events of this scale there will be some disruption to normal travel movements during the afternoon.

“The public should prepare for some delays and allow a little extra time journey time, for everyone’s enjoyment and safety and in order to help minimise disruption and inconvenience to the local community.”

Where possible, the public are strongly advised to use the public transport system or to consider walking to the event. Details of all buses can be found by visiting www.translink.co.uk/Routes-and-Timetables

The Derry St Patricks Day Spring Carnival Carnival parade has a new extended route this year.

The parade commences at 2.00pm and will exit from the Queen’s Quay Car Park before turning up Boating Club Lane and along the Strand Road, around the Harbour Square Roundabout up to Water Street before returning back along Queens Quay to the Queen’s Quay Car Park, where it will end at approximately 3:15pm.

Car Parking

Existing car parking areas that will be available include: City side car parks: Foyleside Shopping Centre Car Park East , Foyleside West and Quayside Shopping Centre, Foyle Road, Magee Campus (Lawrence Hill),Victoria Market, Society Street, Bishop Street, Carlisle Road and William Street.

Waterside car parks: Alfred Street, Bond’s Hill, Distillery Brae, Simpsons Brae, Spencer Road and Waterside Health Centre.

Disabled parking is available at Strand Road Car Park with spaces allocated on a first come first served basis and last admittance at 1.30pm. Other Blue Badge holders are advised to use available public, disabled car parking spaces.

Motorists are advised that there are likely to be delays when exiting some car parks during the parade.

Drivers are reminded that normal on street parking restrictions will be in place and that they should avoid parking anywhere where they may be blocking entrances to residences or businesses or where they may be obstructing emergency access. It is vital, therefore, that people use the available car parks.

The car park at Queen’s Quay will be closed on Friday 17 March.

Vehicles stopping to drop off passengers are advised to park in a safe location and to avoid the immediate vicinity of Queen’s Quay and the Strand Road from Queens Quay roundabout, in order to minimise traffic congestion.

Motorists are advised to expect some delays and diversions during the parade.

In the interests of safety, the following roads will have traffic restrictions in place for the event: Lane closures will be introduced along the Strand Road and Foyle Embankment in advance of the parade. The Strand Road lane closure, in front of the Council offices will be in operation between 12.00 and 4.00pm. The Foyle Embankment lane closure, on the city bound approach to Water Street will be operational from 1.00pm until approximately 4.00pm.

Strand Road, Harbour Square, Queen’s Quay, Whittaker Street and the Foyle Embankment, between Water Street and the City Hotel, will be closed to traffic for varying lengths of time during the day, between 1.00pm and 4.00pm. Alternative diversion routes will be available during these times.

Please note that all times are approximate and that road closures and diversions will be kept to the minimum length necessary to ensure safety.

Derry City and Strabane District Council are committed to ensuring that civic events are as accessible and inclusive as possible.

A viewing area for people with disabilities will be located on the Queen’s Quay opposite the City Hotel and at Strand Road Car Park.

It is advisable that disabled persons with mobility impairments, who wish to avail of this area, plan to arrive a little earlier in order to ensure unimpeded access before the surrounding areas become heavily crowded.

BSL and ISL Interpreters will also be provided in this area.

For those who may find the celebrations overwhelming a Quiet Space will be available at the Whittaker Suite in the Guildhall from 1pm – 6pm.