Disable people will not be able to fully participate in tomorrow's St Patrick's Day parade in Derry due to the new route it is taking, it has emerged.
The information came to light at yesterday afternoon's meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Health and Community committee, during a discussion on a recent initiative launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO), where a 'healthy city leads by example, with the social, physical and cultural environments aligned to create a place that is actively inclusive, and facilitates the pursuit of health and well-being for all.'
However, speaking at the meeting, the SDLP's Tina Gardiner raised her concerns that disabled people would not be able to join tomorrow's St Patrick's Day parade until a later stage due to the new route which will see the parade begin at Bishop Street before making its way down Shipquay Street.
Cllr Gardiner added that there had been 'no consultation with the groups involved' while Sinn Fein's Sandra Duffy added that 'more needed to be done' in terms of liaising with the groups.
Cllr Gardiner continued added that council was a 'long way off slapping ourselves in the back when you see that happening in the parade'
"It's very disheartening," she continued, given that people who had taken part in the parade last year 'can't take part this year'.
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