Six bridges and local currency proposed for Londonderry

The Derry-Londonderry Regeneration Plan: First Draft Report, March 2010, is a collaboration between the local urban regeneration company ILEX and a broad cross-section of stakeholders overseen by a local Strategy Board comprising local politicians and notables.

The draft document is in part a collation of key ideas and strategies from 74 previously existing plans for the city. But it is more the result of the work of twelve Sectoral Working Groups (SWG) which have been working to identify key priorities and actions to move the city forward and tackle inequality across a range of areas.

The far-reaching plans would see the city fundamentally transformed if they get the go ahead, although they are currently at a draft stage and require further honing before a final plan is approved and published.

As well as the Foyle, Craigavon and Peace bridges, the river could in future be crossed by a new bus only bridge, a third road bridge linked to an outer orbital road and a new foot bridge between the Daisyfield and Prehen.

There is also a proposal to realign City of Derry Airport in order to remove constraints for airport and rail services and make it possible to link up the two.

Informal and formal points of access for boat-slipping and canoe and dingy use all along the Foyle are also proposed, alongside a pleasure boat for tourists operating between Craigavon Bridge and Culmore.

Another unusual proposal designed to enhance civic pride here is the introduction of a Civic Scheme.

Other suggestions sure to spark a lot of interest are a proposal for a new all weather sports/athletics stadium; a chain of informal cruiser and yacht moorings on river and Lough to allow easy cruising; and a possible schools boathouse or National Centre of Excellence for Water Sports.

The proposals to expand the Magee university campus to cater for between 8000 and 10,000 full-time students is re-iterated.

And as for Fort George the SWG tasked to deal with the City Region Assets suggests: "There needs to be agreement on how the development of the cluster can be taken forward; however one must do task is to progress decontamination of Fort George to allow any development to continue."

A dedicated "Invest Londonderry" type body is also proposed to promote investment in the region and there are also plans to forge ahead with the city's bids for UNESCO World Heritage Status and the UK City of Culture in 2013.

ILEX and Derry City Council will now hold further discussions with SWGs, the Strategy Board to further refine the draft.

Integration meetings are scheduled for April 13 and 29 at which SWG representatives will have opportunities to provide further input.