Derry people facing fee to walk Walls

Derry and Strabane ratepayers and Hallowe’en visitors to the city will have to pay to walk around Derry’s iconic walls if a Derry City and Strabane District Council proposal gets the go ahead.

Councillors at Tuesday’s Business and Culture committee meeting are due to consider the move as part of a planned Hallowe’en event - ‘Awakening the Walled City’.

Council officers are seeking permission to move forward with a charge of up to £3 per person and a £10 family charge, for two adults and two children.

In a report to be presented by Council’s head of culture and compiled by the festival and event manager and marketing manager, ‘Awakening the Walled City’ is described as “a crowd friendly circuit of the City that can accommodate considerable footfall and crowd management while enabling people to enjoy a variety of themed locations and experiences safely and at their leisure”.

The report adds: “Officers are working with partners to look at a possible ticketing solution for this experience.

“This would enable an enhanced experience, avoiding long queues. 

“In order to offset the additional costs required to manage this officers are seeking permission to move forward with a charge of up to £3 per person and a £10 family charge, (2 adults, 2 children).”

The Business and Culture committee meeting will take place at 4.00pm and will be live-streamed on Derry City and Strabane District Council’s YouTube channel.