Fresh bid to get road crossings painted in Pride’s rainbow colours

Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has written to Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to ask her to look at the possibility of having a number of pedestrian crossings in Derry painted in the rainbow colours of the LGBTQI+ movement for Foyle Pride.

Back in June Ms. Anderson asked the minister to facilitate the painting of the two zebra crossings on either side of Free Derry Wall on Rossville Street in the colours of the LGBTQI+ movement.

However, the Department of Infrastructure said that such crossings could not be altered due to the potential ‘safety and liability’ risks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now the Sinn Féin MLA is asking the department to consider having the rainbow colours painted at signal crossings at the William Street end of Rossville Street and at Shipquay Place in the city centre instead.

She said it would be a fitting way to mark Foyle Pride and the conclusion of the annual Gasyard Féile if people could enjoy the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet colours of the rainbow while waiting for the green man.

“Like many in the city I was deeply disappointed when the Minister said she could not consider painting the two zebra crossings at Free Derry Corner in the colours of the Rainbow Flag to celebrate both Foyle Pride and the Gasyard Féile as it could create ‘safety and liability’ risks.

“When I raised my proposal again at the Infrastructure Committee, it was good to hear that Nichola Mallon was favourably disposed to the idea and I asked her to look at other options. Since then she has stated that there may be scope to permit the temporary use of coloured surfacing on signal-controlled pedestrian crossings within the limits of the road studs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have written to her to request that she considers this temporary painting in the pattern of the LGBTQI rainbow flag in time for the Virtual Foyle Pride week.”

The Derry MLA is specifically proposing interventions at the signal-controlled crossing at Rossville Street at the Spaghetti Junction Restaurant; and the signal-controlled crossing on Shipquay Place between Guildhall Square and the Gainsborough Bar.

“I hope the Minister can look favourably on this and get it across the line.

“As I have said many times in the past few months if it can be done in New York, London or Sydney it can be done in Derry,” said Ms. Anderson.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She acknowledged it may not be possible to achieve the changes in time for Pride.

“If it can’t happen within that timeframe but still goes ahead it will still be a very positive development,” said Ms. Anderson.