Derry's Foyle Street car park could be closed to the public for a year

Derry's Foyle Street Car Park may be closed to the public for up to 12 months, with a minimum of six expected.

A report was presented to Derry and Strabane Council’s Business and Culture Committee on Tuesday outlining the proposal.

It will be out of use to facilitate the upgrade of water infrastructure along Foyle Street by NI Water. For the duration of the works stakeholders will use the car park so as not to disrupt the adjacent Translink bus stop with on street parking.

Alternative arrangements will be sought for the public and local businesses.

Alderman Ryan McCready said the report given to Council about the use of the car park did not say a year.

“I have an issue with the duration. It specifies six months. It doesn't mention anything about 12 months,” the UUP councillor said.

“Do we need to change this now to make it 12 months? Because in six months time when the work goes over it are you going to bring this back to us for another variation of it? So to clarify the duration, do you want 12 months or do you want six?”

The council officer said the change to a potential 12 months came in correspondence just before the meeting.

“Our initial communication with NI Water was around six months. Sorry, but we've received some communication today talking about 12 months and I just wanted members to be clear about that.

“What we can do is go back and get that fully in writing from NI Water in advance of the ratification at full council just so as from a legal perspective that we're covered there.”

Alderman McCready also asked how loss of earnings would be covered.

“An incentive for NI water to make sure it doesn't take any longer than six months would be loss of earnings. Have you quantified that and if so is NI water statutory liable to pay it or is it negotiation?”

Cllr McCready was told this would be discussed further in confidential business. However he was also told ‘compensation is agreed and is contained in further reports’.

Cllr Shauna Cusack said the city needs to find more parking spots to compensate for this loss.

“Regrettably, it's a necessary evil. Nobody wants to see any car parking space lost in the city and particularly the city centre and the businesses that it serves. But it does highlight the importance of every single car parking space that we have in this city centre,” the SDLP councillor said.

“We don't have anywhere near enough. You [council officer] spoke about mitigations, of course, that's going to be a big discussion and it's going to be a headache quite frankly. But just note with regards to the diamond and the car parking spaces that still haven't been returned, up where they have all the flower boxes etc. could there be any moves to get those returned as soon as possible for the public to use?”

The council officer said that would be discussed at another committee.

“As far as I'm aware there's a paper coming to E and R [Environment and Regeneration Committee] around that.

“That's obviously something our colleagues with an E and R had delivered as part of the COVID recovery measure three with DFI and DFC. I think there's certainly a discussion ongoing but I'd need to chat to E And R colleagues about that.”

Alderman Derek Hussey asked who would be financing the works.

“With regard to the presentation and the variance there are obviously infrastructural works that will need to be done, including the creation of an opening of the Foyle embankment to allow the buses,” the UUP councillor said.

“So who will pay for the infrastructure changes and whoever pays for it will they also guarantee the reinstatement that will be necessary after it is completed?”

The council officer said the finances still need to be finalised.

“Certainly Council won't be paying for that and any additional costs will have to be covered within the agreement contract or otherwise between council and NI water.

Council will need the permission of the Department for Communities to allow any change of use to the 54 space car park.

A decision will be made at the full council meeting.