SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has urged the Infrastructure Minister to urgently suspend all planned roadworks in Derry for the remainder of the week, citing significant traffic disruption during the ongoing O’Neills Foyle Cup tournament.
Mr Durkan has criticised the lack of planning around this key event and has called for improved future planning.
The MLA for Foyle said: “I have written to the Minister for Infrastructure urgently calling for an immediate moratorium on roadworks in Derry for the remainder of this week, while the O’Neill’s Foyle Cup continues.
“It is hard to understand, never mind explain, how there was a moratorium on roadworks for The Open last week, despite the event taking place in Portrush, some 40 miles away.
“Yet this week, during one of Derry’s biggest annual events, traffic is crawling across the city, causing widespread disruption.
“This gridlock is not just impacting players and families trying to make matches on time but it’s affecting all road users.
“The Foyle Cup is a well-established, annual tournament that brings thousands of visitors into the city. Where was the forward planning to accommodate that? It’s simply not good enough.
“I have also written to both the Department for Infrastructure and NI Water to raise concerns about the congestion and confusion caused by ongoing roadworks.
“While I welcome NI Water’s agreement to my proposal to delay planned works at Queen’s Quay by 48 hours, this only provides temporary relief.
“The reality is that without a full moratorium for the remainder of the week, the disruption will continue.
“In the meantime, I would urge all road users to drive with courtesy and patience.”
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