Derry councillors have voted to scrap a controversial one-way system introduced to reduce traffic in the city centre.
In a fanfare of publicity, Derry City and Strabane District Council introduced the scheme in 2021.
It has operated from Carlisle Road, through Ferryquay Street and on to the Diamond area.
Launching the scheme, the then SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said it would “transform the Derry cityscape”.
But on Wednesday a Derry City and Strabane District Council committee slammed the brakes on the schemed by voting to scrap it and return to a two-way traffic system.
It follows a council consultation with the public and businesses carried out last November and December.
The council’s environment and regeneration committee heard almost 70% of more than 500 respondents wanted to see the one-way system scrapped.
A council report’s recommendation to scrap the system was passed unopposed.
The one-way measures were initially to be in place for 18 months and was aimed at reducing the volume of traffic in the city centre.
In October councillors voted to extend the scheme to allow for feedback.
Former mayor and SDLP Councillor John Boyle said: “The surveys clearly point us in the direction that the public want to return to what was there before.”
Sinn Féin councillor Emma McGinley said the survey results spoke for themselves.
“Overwhelmingly people do not support the one-way system, it has been disruptive,” she added.
DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney told the committee that although there had been a broad welcome for the scheme when first mooted, council had got it wrong.
Minister Nicola Mallon on a visit to Derry in June 2021 when she announced details of the new one-way system
Aontú councillor Emmett Doyle said the scheme had “frustrated everyone in and around that area” since its introduction.
“They have hated it from day one. I am very happy to dance on this scheme’s grave,” he said.
The council will now ask Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure to coordinate the reintroduction of two-way traffic.
No date has been set for when the two-way system will be put back in place.
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