Derry MLA calls for support for businesses impacted by Foyle Street road closure disruption

The busy road on Foyle Street in the heart of Derry’s city centre will be closed for over a year to facilitate major upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure.

The MLA for Foyle said: “Despite appearances, Foyle Street is open for business. I fully recognise that these upgrades are necessary and have been a long time coming. That said, business owners in the area have reached out about the very real impact the closure this route is having on trade.

“Given that work on the NI Water water and wastewater network upgrade will be ongoing well into next year, removing traffic and reducing footfall and visibility, I have been lobbying the Finance Minister, on behalf of local businesses, to reduce their Rates bill to reflect the negative impact on trade.”

Mr Durkan urged that action must be taken to provide crucial support to help these businesses survive “amidst the challenges of these essential works”.

"With the colder winter months and the busiest period of the economic calendar approaching, there is a real risk that accessibility issues could drive customers away."

Derry’s Foyle Street in the city centre was closed to motorists for up to a year from August 12 and NI Water, which is undertaking the upgrade, have previously stressed that pedestrian access along the street will be maintained throughout.

The £4.2m project is now well under way to upgrade the aged water and sewage systems in the vicinity, increase capacity and facilitate future infrastructure developments.

NI Water in an update last month said: “As we embark today on a major infrastructure improvement scheme that will see Foyle Street in Derry closed between Water Street and Shipquay Place for up to a year, we’d like to remind the public that pedestrian access is being maintained along Foyle Street and that all businesses in the area are open as usual while work is ongoing.

“Foyle Metro and Goldliner bus services are operating from Foyle Street Bus Station while Ulsterbus services can be accessed from the temporary bus station within Foyle Street Car Park.”