07/08/2026

Traffic Disruption Expected As Apprentice Boys Parade Takes Place In L'Derry

The annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade will be held in the city on Saturday 8 August. Police are advising motorists to expect traffic diversions and delays from around 9am due to smaller feeder parades, ahead of the main parade at 12.30pm.

On-street parking along the parade route will be restricted for the duration. Vehicles parked on the route will not be able to move until the parade has passed. Diversions and road closures will be clearly signposted.

Craigavon Bridge: the top deck will be closed throughout as it forms part of the main parade route. The lower deck will remain open in both directions, with access only onto Victoria Road. There will be no left-turn access from the bottom deck for drivers coming from the Cityside, and no vehicular access to the train station from the bottom deck during parade hours. Pedestrian access is unchanged.
News Image
The road between the lower deck of Craigavon Bridge and Dales Corner will be closed for the duration, with access permitted for parade bus traffic only. The Ebrington complex remains accessible via Limavady Road.

Diversions: drivers travelling from the Limavady direction towards Strabane will be diverted at Caw Roundabout via Crescent Link to Newbuildings. Traffic bound for the Cityside should use Foyle Bridge. Motorists heading from Strabane to the city should travel via Lifford, while those going from Strabane to Limavady will be diverted at Newbuildings towards Altnagelvin. Prehen will remain open with local access and for parade bus traffic only. Diversions and signage will be in place for all other traffic.

Road closures and diversions will remain until the main parade and associated feeder parades are complete. Updates will be provided via the Police Derry City & Strabane Facebook page when diversions are lifted.

Latest Northern Ireland News

07 August 2026
Traffic Disruption Expected As Apprentice Boys Parade Takes Place In L'Derry
The annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade will be held in the city on Saturday 8 August. Police are advising motorists to expect traffic diversions and delays from around 9am due to smaller feeder parades, ahead of the main parade at 12.30pm. On-street parking along the parade route will be restricted for the duration.
07 August 2026
Minister O'Dowd Appoints Two Members To Utility Regulator Board
Finance Minister John O'Dowd has named two new non-executive members to the Board of the Utility Regulator. Sean Hogan, who brings extensive experience across utilities, water and public sector governance, will serve a seven-year term from 10 August 2026.
07 August 2026
M3 Lagan Bridge Maintenance To Begin Mid-August
A major programme of maintenance on the M3 Lagan Bridge in Belfast will begin on Friday 14 August 2026. This is the third phase of bridge bearing replacements, following earlier phases in 2024 and 2025. So far, 18 bearings have been replaced; a further six are now scheduled, affecting the bridge's on and off slip roads.
07 August 2026
Three Men Extradited From RoI Over 2019 Lisnaskea Machete Attack
Three men have been extradited from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland to face trial over a 2019 machete attack in Lisnaskea. The men, aged 55, 33 and 29, were extradited on Thursday 6 August and appeared before Newry Magistrates' Court the same morning.
07 August 2026
78-Year-Old Dunmurry Man To Run Belfast Half Marathon For BHF NI
A 78-year-old man from Dunmurry is gearing up for his third half marathon in a matter of months to support British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI), after heart conditions transformed life for his family. Robert Mearns will line up at the Belfast Half Marathon this September, having already completed events in Hillsborough and Lisburn.
07 August 2026
Social Apartments Open In L'Derry
The first residents have begun moving into Arbour Housing’s John Street development in L'Derry, which provides 40 high-quality social apartments for people aged 55 and over. The £7.5 million project comprises 24 two-bedroom and 16 one-bedroom homes, designed to support independent living.
07 August 2026
New Secretary Of State Urged To Back NI's Food And Energy Role
Ulster Unionist Agriculture spokesperson and AERA Committee Chair Robbie Butler has urged the new Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant, to be a vigorous advocate for Northern Ireland's distinctive contribution to the United Kingdom's food and energy security.
07 August 2026
Survey Finds Record Lows In Support For Refugees And Asylum Seekers In 2025
The Executive Office has published the 'Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2025' report, drawing on Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey data to assess public views.
07 August 2026
NI Water Urges Families To Build DIY Raincatchers This Summer
NI Water is inviting households to make the most of the summer break by creating DIY raincatchers to collect rainwater for use in the garden. A DIY raincatcher, or mini waterbutt, can be made from an empty plastic milk bottle. Once decorated and secured to a fence, it can store rainwater for jobs such as watering plants.
07 August 2026
Sinn Féin Delegation Presses Parades Commission Ahead Of Newry Royal Black Parade
A Sinn Féin delegation comprising Liz Kimmins MLA, Dáire Hughes MP and Cllr Aidan Mathers has met the Parades Commission to relay residents' views in advance of forthcoming parades in Newry. A large Royal Black Institution parade is scheduled to take place in Newry on 29 August.