With thousands expected to attend this evening’s “Hear the City Sing” concert featuring Westlife’s Shane Filan, traffic restrictions will be in operation throughout the day in Derry city centre.
Shane Filan.
The event, taking place from 7.30pm at the Peace Garden/Foyle Street car park, is the first Music City 2014 Legacy event.
BBC Radio One’s Edith Bowman will introduce performances from former Westlife star, Little Bear and The Clameens.
The event will culminate with the illumination of the Global Rainbow which beam across the city for five nights.
With a large crowd anticipated, event goers are being urged to use public transport where possible or consider walking to the event.
Paul Rafferty, of Derry City Council said: “We are anticipating a huge turnout and in order to facilitate a safe event members of the public are advised that there will be some disruption to normal travel movements during the day.
“We are advising motorists to expect some delays with diversions throughout the day, to facilitate both the site build and the event itself.”
Normal on-street parking restrictions will be in place and motorists are asked avoid parking anywhere where they may be blocking entrances to residences or businesses or where they may be obstructing emergency access.
With the absence of park and ride facilities, a designated a drop off point for those attending the event is located at the entrance to Custom House Street.
The following roads will be closed to traffic or have traffic restrictions in place for the event:
Whittaker Street and one lane of Shipquay Street will be closed from 8.00am until approximately 2.00am tomorrow in order to accommodate the stage build and break down. Vehicles wishing to enter Shipquay Street during these times should enter via Foyle Street. However, Shipquay Street and Foyle Street (from Water Street junction) will be completely closed from 7.00pm to 10.00pm approximately tonight. All times are approximate and road closures and diversions will be kept to the minimum length necessary to ensure safety.
Car parking available in city side includes Foyleside Shopping Centre Car Park East (until 11.30pm) and Foyleside West (until 10.00 pm) and Quayside Shopping Centre (until 10.00 pm), Foyle Road, Strand Road, Queen’s Quay, Victoria Market, Society Street, Bishop Street, Carlisle Road and William Street.
In the Waterside, available car parking includes those at Alfred Street, Bond’s Hill, Distillery Brae, Simpsons Brae, Spencer Road and Waterside Health Centre.
The DRD car park at Foyle Street is closed until 8.00am tomorrow.
Disabled parking and Blue Badge holders are advised to use available public, disabled car parking spaces.
Derry Taxis have announced that from 6.00pm – 10.00pm approximately tonight, they will relocate their taxi services from Foyle Street to the lay by opposite the Exchange Restaurant.
Apologising for any inconvenience caused, Paul Rafferty said: “Derry City Council advises that members of the public should be prepared for some delays and to allow a little extra time when planning their journeys throughout the day and to follow instructions from the event stewards on duty where necessary.”
Also tonight, live music performances will be offered in a number of local cafes, restaurants, hotels, bars and retail outlets from 7.00pm-8.00pm as part of a new initiative to create a Friday evening music culture in the city centre,
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