Bridge over muddled water as Ilex is submerged

Responsibility for cleaning and maintaining the bridge and running the development of Ebrington will be shared by Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister at Stormont after Ilex is disbanded.

But while street cleaning is controlled by local authorities and the council will be responsible for the walkways along the River Foyle, the Peace Bridge will fall under OFMDFM control in Belfast from the start of April.

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council explained that Council is currently working closely with OFMDFM and other key strategic partners to develop and deliver on ongoing projects and assets including the peace bridge and the Ebrington site moving forward.

“The day-to-day management of the assets will continue to be overseen by OFMDFM,” he said.

“The Peace Bridge and Ebrington remain a key element of the Council’s Community Plan for the regeneration and investment of the city and region.”

Ilex has been responsible for maintaining and cleaning the Peace Bridge since it opened in the summer of 2011.

The bridge was closed to the public for two days last week for routine cleaning operations to take place.

It was announced last year that the regeneration company was to be wound up at the end of March with the local authority and Stormont assuming its roles.

The Peace Bridge has become an iconic symbol in Londonderry since it opened almost five years ago.