New Derry riverfront and city centre pedestrianisation works welcomed by Mayor

News that Derry has been included in a series of green infrastructure projects to support innovative ways of travelling has been welcomed by the Mayor of Derry & Strabane Michaela Boyle.

Mayor Boyle said she is delighted that the Department of Infrastructure and its Minister Nichola Mallon intend to increase the space available for walking and cycling along the city’s riverfront area, and to plan for businesses reopening within the City Walls by reducing traffic and creating more public space.

Describing it as a very positive step in helping to support the recovery process, and in supporting the public who have begun to change how they travel, she said: “The Council is very supportive of the work being proposed by the Department for Infrastructure to introduce creative and innovative ways to promote active and safe modes of travel.

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“I welcome the proposal to create extra space for the many people in Derry who walk and cycle along the riverfront regularly. We hope that it will provide them with more safe space and improve their experience as I know that significant numbers of residents have begun to walk and cycle more at this difficult time.

“We also support the Department’s desire to put measures into place within the Walled City to reduce traffic and to improve conditions for pedestrians.

“We believe that this will provide assurance to the public and will assist our businesses in planning for social distancing as they prepare to open again in the coming weeks and months.

“We will also consider how these initial innovative pilot schemes can be extended to Strabane and other Towns and Villages in the District over time.”

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The Council will work in partnership with the Department in the coming weeks to engage with businesses and the public to ensure that the plans that are developed reflect the needs of all our local stakeholders.

Making the announcement on Friday, Nichola Mallon said: “Work will begin in Derry to create extra space for people using the riverfront and in the weeks ahead, working closely with Derry City and Strabane District Council and other stakeholders, we will develop plans to reduce the traffic and improve conditions for pedestrians within the City Walls as businesses begin to reopen.”

“We are now living in a new normal and part of that is ensuring we create more opportunities for active travel, with more safe routes for walking and cycling. Some of the changes we will make have not been tested before. They may not all work, but we have an opportunity now to try new things and to learn from them. I will not let pursuit of perfection be the enemy of the good.”

She added that in the coming weeks she will announce plans for pop up cycle lanes and quiet streets across the north, while ways to help particularly disadvantaged inner city communities who do not have easy access to space for recreation and leisure are also being explored.