£500,000 To Tackle L'Derry Dereliction

Over £500,000 has been allocated to Derry City Council to help tackle dereliction in the city.

A programme of environmental improvements in and around the city centre is due to take place as L’Derry prepares for its run as the UK City of Culture for 2013.

Improvements will include enhancement of the City Walls, including railings and the removal of graffiti.

£100,000 is to be spent on tidying the Tillie and Henderson site, while environmental works will be carried out at the roundabout junction at Strand Road/Queen’s Quay.

Images of the city’s cultural history will be screened on some vacant sites around the city.

The funding was announced by Environment Minister Alex Attwood.

He said: "If we want tourists to stay longer, if we want more tourists to come, then tackling major eyesores and dereliction will certainly help. While this is timely in relation to the City of Culture year, I am doing this to benefit tourism in the long term which in turn will create the opportunity to attract inward investment.

"Only this week, Derry was named fourth best city in the world to visit in 2013 by the Lonely Planet Guide and initiatives like this all help to cement that position. Let’s not forget that the citizens of Derry will also benefit with the character of their built environment improved."

He continued: "Our built and natural heritage are essential elements of our economy and jobs. They will be the biggest part of future increases in tourist numbers and spend. Growing tourism from a £500m to a £1bn a year industry will revolve around the positive protection and development of this heritage."

The funding comes in addition to the DOE’s Listed Building Grant Scheme, which will see the repair of 16 listed buildings in the city at a total cost of £1.4m.

(IT)