300 jobs at risk if Buncrana Road widening plans are not altered - Retail NI claims

The body which represents traders said that the changes to the £70m plans are needed to facilitate customers getting access to local small retailers and businesses.

Local traders along the bust arterial route have expressed fears that the current upgrade plans will restrict passing trade to local businesses. To avoid this, Retail NI said it has submitted a number of proposed changes - all of which it said were rejected by the Department for Infrastructure.

Retail NI is today meeting with Colum Eastwood MP, Martina Anderson MLA, Gary Middleton MLA and the President of Derry’s Chamber of Commerce to outline their concerns.

Speaking ahead of this, Buncrana Road Trader and Retail NI Board member David Barber said: “We have submitted sensible and practical changes to the proposed redevelopment plan to facilitate our customers and passing trade being able to access the shops on Buncrana Road. Sadly, all were rejected. If customers can’t gain easy access to our stores, then we will lose this trade which will sadly result in store closures, up to 300 job losses and a net loss of £2million to the local economy.”

“We urge the Infrastructure Minister to intervene and ensure changes are made to the redevelopment plan to avoid these job losses”

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “With the huge hit to the economy with Covid-19, every job is vital, and we urge the Minister to listen to our concerns and make the necessary changes to this plan and protect these livelihoods and small businesses.

“Retail NI supports the overall plan to upgrade the Buncrana Road as it is a vital investment in the infrastructure of Derry, the North West and the Derry-Strabane City Deal. However, no business should have to close, nor jobs lost as a result of this redevelopment.”

Redmond McFadden, President of Derry’s Chamber of Commerce said: “It is crucial that this issue is resolved and the threat to these businesses lifted. The prospect of the loss of so many jobs and businesses in our city has to avoided at all costs and we hope that the Minister will act accordingly.”

The 4.4km Buncrana Road scheme will see the road dualled between the Derry - Donegal border at Bridgend and Pennyburn roundabout. There are ongoing discussions with landowners whose properties are affected by the scheme.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon back in June announced her intention to progress the plans to dual Buncrana Road and other major flagship projects as part of a plan to aid economic recovery and community transformation.