Roads Service meeting over A6

As proposals currently stand Mr Devenney believes the dualling will impact heavily on traffic flow, particularly at Judges Road and Henderson Park, and he believes that residents' concerns have not been properly heard.

"A petition will be presented to Roads Service listing the concerns of residents at Henderson Park and the school. Local people view this as a residential area set in a cul-e-sac with a school nearby, and there are deep concerns that the dualling will open this area up. I would stress that residents are not opposed to the A6 or planning decisions, but they are very much concerned over the direction it will take.

"For the residents of Strathfoyle the proposals will mean that residents will now have to drive down through Henderson Park, round the roundabout and back in to town. I am concerned what that will mean in terms of taxi fares for the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

"I have met residents together with Alderman William Hay, and I can say that there is deep concern in both Maydown and Strathfoyle, and Mr Hay and I now intend to meet with Roads Service at senior level with a deputation to that we can sit down together and see what the plans are and if we can influence them in some way in favour of the residents. I hope that this meeting will take place in the next two to three weeks," Mr Devenney said.

He added that the residents of Maydown would be presenting their concerns in letter form to the Roads Service asking for compromise and seeking a resolution.

Fears are that the residents of Strathfoyle and Enagh may be cut off when the dual carriageway is upgraded between the City and the airport.

Roads Service plan to close off most existing access to the carriageway, and create alternative routes, which they say will make the road safer.

Appealing for Roads Service to listen to residents' concerns, Maydown community worker, Martin McCartney said there were particular concerns over the level of traffic that will use Maydown roundabout via Temple road, including vehicles to and from Temple Road, Westlake, Butlers Wharf, Strathfoyle, the meat plant, Coolkeeragh Power Station, Lisahally Docks, Carrakeel Industrial Estate, Brickkiln, Dupont, Invista, and the school as well as buses, taxis and family vehicles.

He said there was also concern at where bus stops would be located and on what side of the carriageway, and what impact there would be on farms locally.

"Maydown currently hasn't an official crossing on the existing carriageway, even though we do have an opening on the central reservation to allow all age groups cross for buses, shops and so on. We would like to see a permanent crossing here and we would also like to see the speed limit reduced to Maydown Roundabout," he said.