Bus corridor and priority lane will help green city vision

The Minister also said that the ongoing extension of the Drumahoe park and ride scheme to 271 spaces is due for completion imminently.

He made the revelation when asked by Green MLA Stephen Agnew what he was doing to help achieve the Londonderry One Plan’s vision of a “Sustainable Connected City.”

In response he outlined a range of public transport schemes including the three phase Coleraine to Londonderry rail uprgade.

The first phase is scheduled for completion this year “in time to accommodate a projected increase in passengers for the Derry/Londonderry City of Culture year.”

The local city bus service is also scheduled for a revamp.

Mr Kennedy said there will be “a full revision of Londonderry city bus services by Translink and creation of a quality bus corridor; and development of proposals for a bus priority lane and investigating associated technology.”

In terms of road development, Mr Kennedy said: “The proposed dualling of part of the A5 between Londonderry and Strabane improving access to both Londonderry, the main centre of population in the North West with its port and airport facilities and to Strabane, with its important cross border link.”

He said Roads Service would continue to progress the planning process for the A6 Londonderry to Dungiven dualling scheme and that the extension of park and ride facilities at Drumahoe to 271 spaces would be delivered by the middle of February 2013.

Other developments proposed are the completion of the Outer Orbital Route Feasibility Study; the development and processing of legislation required to deliver a Residents’ Parking Scheme in the Bogside by end of 2013; the development of a Car Park Management system, which will utilise variable messaging signs located strategically throughout the city; and the delivery of a traffic calming scheme at Rossville Street/Lecky Road, and progression of a further scheme at Steelstown Road.