SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin has warned that any new delay to the Triangle regeneration scheme on the Waterside area of Derry would be unacceptable.
Party colleague Councillor Reilly said that residents will be frustrated and annoyed at the uncertainty.
The two SDLP representatives were responding to a written answer from communities minister Deirdre Hargey to their party colleague Mark H Durkan, who requested an update on the Triangle regeneration scheme.
Minister Hargey said this week: “The Housing Executive is currently reconsidering the options available to it with regard to this project.”
They SDLP members say this appears to contradict assurances Minister Hargey gave in August, when she stated:
“Providing that the procurement process to appoint the contractor is successful, and there are no further delays due to pandemic related restrictions, the Housing Executive anticipates that the scheme will commence in March 2022”.
Mrs McLaughlin has written to the minister seeking clarification and also an assurance for the tenants and leaseholders that the scheme will proceed with the utmost urgency.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Any new delay would be unacceptable. Tenants and leaseholders have been living in poor conditions for a sustained period.
“It is also unacceptable and wrong for any revision to the previously stated situation to be made in this way. I have written to the minister in forthright terms to stress this.”
Waterside SDLP councillor Martin Reilly added: “This curt reply to the Assembly Question on the Triangle refurbishment will only add to the frustration and annoyance of the residents who want to see the progress they were promised some years ago.
“The Minister and the Housing Executive need to provide a timetable for these residents as to when the already published improved designs can become a reality.
“This project represents a significant capital investment by the Housing Executive – and will greatly complement other public and private investment in across the Waterside. It can’t happen soon enough.”
