Resident parking scheme '˜within year'

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard speaking to Colm Barton, Bogside & Brandywell Initiative in July during a visit to the Bogside, Derry, to announce details of the new Residents' Parking Scheme. (Photo Lorcan Doherty Photography)

A long-awaited parking scheme for Bogside residents will be implemented within 12 months, a community worker has said.

Triax Development Worker Colm Barton described progress on the Bogside Resident Only Parking Scheme as “very positive” after meeting Transport NI officials.

Information sessions will be held at Pilots Row on Thursday from 2-4pm and 5-7pm, and Transport NI staff will update residents on progress and the next steps.

Encouraging residents to come along, Mr Barton said: “More progress has been made on this project in the last six months than the previous nine years.

“When Minister Chris Hazard visited the Bogside in June I was as sceptical as the residents if we would ever see the scheme implemented. Six months later my optimism has been restored and I am confident that not only are we seeing real progress but that we will see the scheme implemented within the next 12 months.”

Mr Barton, who has been involved in promoting the project since it was first proposed in 2007, added: “I have been meeting regularly with Transport NI and am convinced this will happen. I know many people in the Bogside will greet this with understandable scepticism, but in meeting Department staff I am convinced that the political will and resources for this to happen are now in place. In the next two months I expect the scheme to go for full public consultation and am encouraging people to engage with this process. Their involvement will help deliver the best scheme possible. The Triax Neighbourhood Management Team will play its part in this consultation.”