BREAKING: One-way traffic system scrapped at Diamond

Derry News understands the controversial one-way traffic system around the Diamond area of the city is to be scrapped.

Councillors are expected to take the decision at today’s (Wednesday's) meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Environment and Regeneration committee.

The introduction of temporary one-way traffic arrangements along Ferryquay Street and Upper Carlisle Road were designed with the objective of creating extended pedestrian space on Ferryquay Street and an associated reduction of vehicular traffic flow along this narrow street.

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However, the arrangement was heavily criticised at the time. Shortly after its introduction, Declan Moore, the owner of Claude’s Café on Shipquay street told Derry News: “The one-way system on Ferryquay Street has been a disaster. It encourages traffic to come up Artillery Street and have a blind corner. If there has not already been, I think there will be accidents. 

“Traffic is essentially coming up steep, narrow side streets. There is too much congestion on roads that were not meant to take that much traffic. Apart from anything else, you literally cannot see traffic to your right when you come up Artillery Street, unless you are nearly entirely out of the actual side street.”

A public consultation survey on the city centre one-way traffic system was launched by Council on November 4, 2022. It closed on December 6, 2022.

Face-to-face interviews were also conducted within the vicinity of Ferryquay Street to obtain views at first hand.

The total number of respondents was 508.

According to documentation seen by Derry News, the majority of both online and physical surveys opted for the scheme to be removed and returned to two-way traffic.

Council will also formally request that the Department for Infrastructure Roads will undertake the necessary reinstatement works to enable the re-introduction of vehicular traffic.