By Alan Healy
There will be ‘no rush’ to address ongoing parking issues around the university area in Derry, a government department has said.
The comments came from a representative of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) at a special meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Environment and Regeneration committee on Tuesday afternoon, where local councillors received an update on a number of scheme planned for the city.
The Derry News revealed last month how no parking scheme will be considered for the university area until an assessment is carried out into the effectiveness of a Residents’ Parking Scheme in the Rossville Street area of the Bogside.
No date has been set for the Bogside scheme, and it emerged earlier this week that a planned consultation on the proposals has been delayed until next year.
The Residents’ Parking Scheme was first proposed for the Aberfoyle and Duncreggan Road in 2010, after residents first began lobbying for its introduction in 2004, following the introduction of parking charges at the Ulster University’s Magee campus.
The parking problem was discussed at Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, where Deaglan MacBride, Development Section Engineer, Deaglan MacBride was asked on what progress, if any, was being made in regards to a residents’ parking scheme for the Aberfoyle area.
Mr MacBride responded that there will be no movement until a proper assessment can be carried out on other schemes, including the Bogside.
“We’ll not be rushing to do other schemes,” Mr MacBride said.
Mr MacBride added that while he couldn’t give a timescale’ for the scheme, ‘it wouldn’t be for some time until after the Bogside scheme is up and running.”
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.