Public invited to shape the future of Derry’s Central Riverfront

The Derry public is invited to help draw the first blueprint for Derry’s Central Riverfront by coming along to a Public Information Gathering event taking place over two days later this week at the Guildhall and giving their views on how they would like to see the area developed.

The Derry Central Riverfront Project is a £45m transformative project for the heart of the city. It’s a cornerstone project of the wider investment strategy and key component of the Derry and Strabane Region City Deal, that will see over £300 million invested into the City and District. This scheme is designed to contribute to a more prosperous, sustainable, and regionally balanced economy by reimagining how the city connects with its most famous natural asset.

This £45 million initiative, funded through City Deal, aims to re-imagine the riverfront area, with a focus on creating high-quality, safe, and welcoming public spaces, prioritising active travel like walking and cycling, and enhancing the city’s evening economy.

Key to its success is input from the public and to assist with that the Department for Infrastructure, in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council, is hosting a two-day Public Information Gathering Event to discuss how to take forward the Central Riverfront Project and help shape its future use.

Unlike traditional engagement processes, where finished designs are presented for approval, this event is being held at the very beginning of the process. There are currently no pre-drawn plans or drawings. Instead, the project team, including consultants from Tetra Tech, want to hear directly from residents and business owners about what they want to see for the city.

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Encouraging the public to attend, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh said: “We are at an early stage in the design process, and this is a genuine opportunity for the community to share their views and ideas before the first lines are even drawn on a map. We want to know what would make the riverfront work better for you.”

Members of the public and local business representatives are encouraged to drop in during any of the following sessions - Wednesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 26 2026 from 10.00am – 2.00pm and from 4.00pm – 8.00pm, at the Guildhall.

The feedback gathered during these sessions will directly inform the design team’s work over the coming months. Following this initial engagement, formal consultation events will be held during the summer of 2026 and spring 2027 to present the proposals that emerge from this community input.

For those unable to attend,  you can find out more information and give your views via the website at  https://consultationspace.com/centralriverfrontproject/.