Lessons need to be learned from traffic chaos

Lessons need to be learned following Monday's traffic chaos that seen the city come to a standstill, it has been claimed.

There was traffic congestion throughout Derry on Monday as the Foyle Cup opening parade made its way through the city centre into Guildhall Square.

The parade coincided with resumed roadworks on Madam’s Bank Road in the Culmore area of the city and the scheduled beginning of sewer improvements at Queen’s Quay in the city centre. Both projects are being carried out by NI Water.

The laying of new wastewater infrastructure on Madam’s Bank Road to support new development in the city had been postponed last week during the Open Championship Golf in Portrush. Its resumption on Monday morning severely impacted traffic flow on the Foyle Bridge and had a disastrous knock-on effect on traffic coming into Derry from the Maydown direction, on the Crescent Link, and right across the Waterside.

Hundreds of people took to social media to complain about lengthy traffic delays and voice concern about the possible inability of emergency vehicles to access locations quickly.

NI Water confirmed late on Tuesday afternoon it had “paused work on both Madam’s Bank Road and Queen’s Quay until the Foyle Cup tournament concludes on Saturday, July 26”.

A spokesperson said the decision followed “recent feedback regarding traffic congestion in the city”.

They added: “Pipelaying work will recommence on Madam’s Bank Road on Monday, July 28 with the necessary traffic management reinstated.

“NI Water’s contractor is liaising with the Department for Infrastructure regarding a new start date for the work on Queen’s Quay and will strive to complete the essential improvements during the remainder of the summer school break. The date for the work on Queen’s Quay will be conveyed once a new permit has been granted.”

Commenting on the situation, SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: “Traffic management plans should be in place for any events in the city that generate a significant volume of traffic.

“That's not easy for an event of the scale of the Foyle Cup which takes place across so many venues but we should constantly striving for improvement to maximise the huge benefit this festival of football brings to Derry and to minimise any associated disruption and delays to journey.

“Monday's mayhem was attributable, in the main, to the recommencement of roadworks on key routes in the city.

“A simple first step would be for consultation between DfI Roads, who approve any required road closure or works ,to consult with Council to determine if there is any clash with events in the city's calendar and to ensure local opinion and advice are sought.”

Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy said organisations and agencies must work together to ensure there is not a repeat of the traffic chaos seen in Derry on Monday for the start of the O’Neill’s Foyle Cup.

“There are lessons to be learned and I would encourage, all relevant organisations and agencies come together to ensure there is not a repeat of the gridlock on Monday.

“The Foyle Cup is a prestigious event that brings so much to Derry and showcases the brilliant city it is.

“Ensuring that there is minimal disruption in the future will help to enhance the experience of all in the city for next year’s competition.”

A DfI spokesperson said: "The popularity of the Foyle Cup has increased traffic volumes in Derry in recent years and future events will require all stakeholders to feed into traffic management plans for the city during the event.”

IN PICTURES: Wednesday's action from Foyle Cup 2025

The Foyle Cup continues throughout the week at venues across the North West

IN PICTURES: Derry sides in action at Foyle Cup 2025

The Foyle Cup continues throughout the week at venues across the North West

Asked by The Derry News what input if any the PSNI had in the traffic management plan for the Foyle Cup, a spokesperson said: “I would refer you to the event organiser and Department for Infrastructure (DfI) regards the traffic management plan and the roadworks respectively.”

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said it did not have any direct input into the traffic management plan for this year’s Foyle Cup.

They added: “Council encourages the organisers of all large-scale events to engage directly with the Council’s Safety Advisory Group where advisors from all stakeholders - including the PSNI, DfI, NI Fire and Rescue Service, and City Centre Initiative - are available to offer expert advice around event planning, including traffic management.

The Derry News approached the organisers of the Foyle Cup for comment. At the time of going to press none had been received.