Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin
SINN Féin Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin has said there will be anger in the Bogside area of city as residents learn that a residents parking scheme first floated in 2007 has once again been held up by issues outside of Derry.
It was revealed in a reply to a question to the DRD Minister Michelle McIlveen on the issue by the Foyle MLA.
Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin said: “It’s quite staggering the length of time we have been campaigning for a residents parking scheme.
“It’s nearly nine years when there was the first talk of pilot schemes, looking at all the various options and at the time is was all looking very positive.
“But it’s been a rollcoaster ever since with residents hopes raised and dashed a number of times.
“This week I asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on a proposed residents’ parking scheme in the Bogside area of Derry.
The DRD Minister Michelle McIlveen said: “My Department has progressed the Rossville Street Residents’ Parking Scheme in the Bogside area of the City. Many of the necessary preparations have been made ahead of formal consultation on the scheme.
“However, given the difficulties in securing public support for schemes in Belfast and the costs associated with implementing and managing schemes in Londonderry and Antrim, I wish to take some time to consider my Department’s position on this matter before making any further decisions”
Reacting to the Minister said Maeve McLaughlin said “Residents will be quite rightly angered to learn that the scheme which everyone agrees needs to happen should be held up because of problems in other parts of the North.
“I will impress on the Minister the importance that the scheme in Derry needs to go ahead.”
