Is Derry a dirty city?

Residents in Derry have raised concerns about the cleanliness of the city. 

This is despite the city scooping the title of ‘Best Kept Large Urban Centre’ at the 2024 Ireland’s Best Kept Town Awards.

However, contrary to this, Derry resident Libby Kennedy was concerned about the poor unkempt state of the city including Ewing and Williams Street.

She said: “There is no pride taken in this town. 

“I’m ashamed to take my friends from America and Australia around Derry when they visit.”

Following this conversation with Mrs. Kennedy I decided to ask for the opinions from the people of Derry to see if this sentiment was widespread. 

And my post on X, formerly known as Twitter, received an outpouring of concern at the cleanliness of Derry. 

Orla Barr said: “I think the city has a really low standard of cleanliness, it's hard to find anywhere without litter. We have such a beautiful city but when tourists arrive in Derry to be greeted by Foyle Street, it's letting us down. I lived in Maastricht in the Netherlands for a year and there was a clear difference. 

“There was essentially no litter and an assortment of bins everywhere. We don't have enough bins and the bins that we do have are just rubbish bins, not allowing us to recycle properly. The abandoned atrocity atop of Paolos Pizza at the bottom of Waterloo Street is part of the dirt, it makes the city look completely abandoned and left to rot. 

“The green areas that we have are relatively well looked after and Brooke Park is gorgeous. There needs to be more respect for the city from its locals.”

Meanwhile Conchur Ó Rois added: “It’s overgrown with weeds all over the city centre not to mention the absolute eye sore that is Waterloo place.”

And Cass75 said: “When you come out of the bus depot, Foyle St just looks dire.”

With the view on Foyle Street shared by Kevkop76. 

He said: “The smell of foyle street would turn milk, this is an ongoing sewage problem for as long as I've known.”

With Jacquie Loughrey coming up with a possible solution to the weeds issue in the city’s footpaths and buildings.

She said: “Would love to see development and funding of "tidy town" initiatives. Community weeding/litter picking/communal areas with hanging baskets not widespread spraying of weedkiller. Educate/encourage to respect areas. Property owners maintain facades of unoccupied buildings.”

However, there were those that believed the cleanliness and state of Derry was reasonable, despite needing a touch up, it was a lot better than other cities people had visited recently. 

Steve Bradley said: “You'll hear complaints, but Derry's not that bad in all honesty. Central Belfast is a mess these days. And parts of London have gone downhill dramatically ovr last few years with way more litter & graffiti than used to be. Derry has issues in places, but is a relatively clean city.”

And Frank Hank #Stillcoviding said: “I would say Derry is a pretty tidy town that presents itself well. More murals are needed and all flags should be taken down.”

Meanwhile a comment was made about the myriad of potholes in Derry, with this issue only solvable by the Northern Irish Department for Infrastructure.

In response to the overgrown weeds and cleanliness of the city a spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “One of Council’s statutory duties is providing grounds maintenance and street cleansing services throughout Derry’s city centre, and this remains a key priority working alongside our partners in the Department for Infrastructure who maintain public footways.

“Over the years Council has received many acknowledgements of the work of the Streetscape team through both the Ulster in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions, and just last month the city was awarded the 'Best Kept Large Urban Centre' title at the 2024 Ireland's Best Kept Town Awards. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of Council staff in maintaining and improving our city and towns making them attractive places to work and visit. Council would also encourage local businesses to take a proactive role in maintaining the upkeep of their own premises, including the removal of weeds and other vegetation.

“Recent budget cuts from the government have meant additional pressures on all Council services, which will inevitably impact on service delivery. Despite this reduced capacity, we remain committed to striving to meet the high standards which we have set, and will continue to lobby for the resources needed from the government to successfully do this.”