22/03/2010

Third Foyle Bridge Wins Support

A proposal is to be considered by planners for a third road bridge across the Foyle.

The plan is part of a 10-year road transport strategy being drawn up for Derry City by urban regeneration company, ILEX.

Politicians and business people on both sides of the border have already given their backing to the idea and it's planned that the new bridge would be constructed south of the city, linking the Newbuildings area with lands at Letterkenny Road.

The proposed road crossing is being designed to link up with the A5 upgrade in order to improve the flow of traffic into Co Donegal in the Irish Republic and to ease congestion in Londonderry's city centre.

Plans are also being considered for a link between the A5 and the A6 to take heavy traffic from the Port away from Limavady Road as it heads for Omagh and other towns.

The strategy also looks at widening footpaths within the Walled City and exploring how land on both sides of the river can be given back to the public realm rather than being used for car parking.

The news comes as work continues to progress on the new Peace Bridge - which is due to open in December.

Stormont Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, and Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, announced the commencement of construction of the link between the former military base at Ebrington to the Guildhall in January.

Martin McGuinness said: "It is my sincere hope that the new bridge will be a catalyst for change and will help transform this city and the local community in the widest sense.

"It represents a real opportunity to improve relationships by transcending the physical divide of the river which, for so long, has been viewed as a boundary between the Waterside and the city side."

He said the footbridge development "will bring Ebrington into shared, public use for the first time in almost 170 years. Most importantly, it will enable the local community to reclaim this prime riverside location for their own enjoyment".

(BMcC/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
19 September 2018
Up To 100 Roads Closed As Storm Ali Hits NI
A growing number of roads across Northern Ireland are closed due to adverse weather conditions as a result of Storm Ali.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
20 September 2018
Number Of Roads Remain Closed Following Storm Ali
A number of roads remain closed across Northern Ireland following the damage caused by Storm Ali. The following roads are still closed, however the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is working to clear the obstructions along with its multiagency partners.
19 September 2018
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.