Concern raised over removal of Derry city centre car park

Derry's city centre is set to lose more parking spaces, it can be revealed.

A Department of Communities project will see the removal of parking facilities in Society Street.

Work is believed to begin on the Inner Walled City Public Realm Scheme in March.

The removal of over 30 parking bays in the heart of the city follows the removal of parking along Bishop Street.

The scheme, which was announced in 2015, aims to make improvements to footways and carriageways, lighting, landscaping, street furniture, public artwork and associated works to regenerate the city centre.

The scheme comprises Linenhall Street, Bank Place, Union Hall Place, Magazine Street, Palace Street and will provide a public space replacing the 21 space Society Street car park as well as reducing the on-street car parking from 12 bays to three on Society Street.

However local businesses and residents have raised their objections.

Duncan Curry, manager of the Society Street Indoor Market, said he, along with other businesses and residents were not consulted about the scheme.

Mr Curry said the removal of parking in Society Street will cost traders business and increase anti-social behaviour in the area.

“If the car park is removed, we could lose up to 70 percent of our business, which isn't viable in the long-term.

Mr Curry said the removal of parking bays along Society Street will remove loading facilities for his and other businesses in the area.

“We'll have no loading or way of getting products in or out of the building. We'll have no access.

“We were told to use Bishop Street but if we use Bishop Street we'll be causing more traffic mayhem.

“We haven't been consulted on this project at all.

“It was first started in 2015, it passed planning 2018, we have been here five years and haven't been consulted once on the design process or on any part of the process.”

Mr Curry said the department has “ignored” the concerns of local stakeholders.

“We would have happily engaged with the department. We want to see improvements to the city but the improvements have to be beneficial to the residents and businesses.

“You can't be knocking someone's livelihoods out or affecting someone's way of living.”

Mr Curry added that he wants to see the current parking facilities in the area to be retained.

“I'd be quite happy to retain the parking in this end of the town but improve the lighting, improve the surface and basically tidy the place up. Because why fix something that's not broken.

“Look what's happened to the seating area in Waterloo Place, it's caused chaos and it could move the problem in Waterloo Place to this end of the town. Why create another problem?

“The department needs to go back and relook at their design and see what the impact will have on people and their livelihoods before work starts and engage with the people who have to live here and do business here.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Communities said: “These streets are important with a high heritage value as they create the setting for a large section of the historic City Walls.

“The removal of the car park and reduction in car parking will reduce traffic, increase safety, provide space for residents and visitors alike and increase pedestrian footfall creating a more attractive place befitting of the historic nature of the area.

“Furthermore, in preparation for the scheme, the Department funded a new pedestrian access link from Palace Street into the adjacent Bishop Street Car Park.”