New Creggan and Foyle pedestrian crossings progressing

The Creggan and Foyle roads may have their planned puffin and toucan crossings finished this year as the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) confirms they are at design stage.

The plans were discussed when DfI presented to council to discuss its annual report on the work of the Department for Infrastructure Roads across the Derry & Strabane Council area.

The provision of the Puffin Crossing on Creggan Road, close to its junction with Marlborough Road, is currently at design stage. The Toucan Crossing on Foyle Road at Coshowen is also at design stage.

Additionally, the upgrade of the traffic signal junction at Strand Road/Rock Road has had its design finalised.

Councillor Emma McGinley said the development on Creggan Road has been a long time coming.

“I think it's something that residents specifically have been campaigning for for a long time. So that's something they'll be glad to see is at design stage and hopefully we can see that delivered as quickly as possible,” the Sinn Féin councillor said.

Councillor Shaun Harkin also welcomed the development but asked if there was an issue holding it up.

“Creggan Road, I'm glad to see that it's at design stage, that's excellent, because this is a long time demand. Rosemount Primary School, the residents around there, Brooke Park users have all been clamouring for something to be done,” the People Before Profit Councillor said.

“It was recognized, I think, a year ago that the need was there. Now it seems they’ve been at the same stage for quite a while. Is there a logistic problem in terms of what the puffin crossing is going to look like?

“Is there going to be a dropped kerb? I know that there was some difficulty because of the narrowness of the pavement on the Brooke Park side and is that going to be done by March? I think it'd be really welcomed, it's desperately needed.”

DfI representative Daniel Healy said he would look into get back to council on the design issue.

He added that getting the work done depends on the budget.

“I certainly know that the design is substantially complete. And I'm pretty sure if we have the budget to do it this year, it will be on our list of projects that we will try to complete and I can come back to you with a more accurate program for that one if that's okay?”