Revamp John Street call

Now Sinn Fin Councillor Maeve McLaughlin has called for a dedicated approach from various agencies to revamp the appearance of what she describes as one of the major gateways into the city centre.

Her call comes after meeting traders from Foyle Road and John Street who raised a number of serious concerns about the effect the appearance of the area was having on their businesses ,along with associated problems due to on street drinking there.

Councillor McLaughlin said: "The appearance of area in and around Craigavon Bridge along Foyle Road and John Street has been in a desperate state for many years and several suggestions have been made as to how to address this issue but so far little has appeared to have happened on the ground.

"This week I had a meeting with a number of traders there and I heard at first hand the pressures they are under in trying to keep their businesses going in such surroundings.

"They were struggling to keep their business afloat and keep up with the rent, rates and staff wages. Many are just breaking even.

"One businessman I spoke to had several units he was unable to rent out because no one wanted to set up business in the area which is only a couple of hundred yards from the heart of out city centre.

"There is a serious problem with the appearance of the area, dilapidated buildings, overgrown vegetation and problems associated with on street drinking and an need for a review of security and CCTV coverage there.

"I believe there needs to be a dedicated approach from all agencies to revamp the appearance of one of the major gateways into Derry City centre.

"There is an urgency needed in the what way we approach this and its needs to happen within a very short time frame.

"If we want to be serious about biding for a City of Culture then lets make this area a high priority and get these problems sorted.

"I will be raising this issue with the DRD Minister Conor Murphy and the Minister for the Environment Edwin Poots.A meeting will be reconvened in two weeks time with the City Centre Initiative, Derry City Council and the PSNI about speedily moving this situation forward."