Derry's world-famous Foyle Maritime Festival officially kicks off today as final preparations have been completed for the five-day celebration running July 20th-24th, and with a number of road closures and other measures in place to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, it's best to plan ahead.
Thousands of people are expected to attend this year's festival which was initially due to take place in 2020 but had to be postponed due to Covid-19. As the excitement builds ahead of the event's much-anticipated return, the public are being reminded that there will be some level of disruption to regular traffic and travel arrangements in and around the main festival site and the city centre.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Cllr Sandra Duffy, today urged people to plan their journey to save unnecessary delays. "We are expecting a huge volume of visitors over this year's international festival, and to account for the wide variety of outdoor events taking place a number of changes to travel and parking will be introduced."
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What roads will be closed from today?
To facilitate this year's festival there will be road closures in place at Queen's Quay from Harbour Square to Queen's Quay Roundabout.
This will include a complete road closure from 8pm on 17 July until 8am on 27 July to facilitate the event. On-street parking restrictions will also be in place throughout the festival, and parking will be available at usual car parks throughout the city.
However, the Queen's Quay car park will be closed for the duration of the festival to allow for events along the quayside.
There is also free event parking at Fort George and people are encouraged to avail of this facility and to refrain from parking at Sainsbury's car park.
Council is also encouraging people to use the city centre car parks and Magee College Car Park is also available for parking.
A council spokesperson said that the local authority were committed to ensuring that this year's festivities are as accessible and inclusive as possible, and as a result, have provided accessible Parking at the Strand Road Car Park.
They said: "A number of other facilities have been introduced at this year's festival, including Quiet Rooms and accessible toilets located throughout the festival site, a Changing Places toilet facility in the Festival Family Hub at the Council Building and also in Ebrington Square.
"Whilst cyclists are being fully encouraged to cycle to this year's events – they are being asked to dismount within the event zones.
"At busier times during the festival it may be necessary to introduce additional traffic management and parking restrictions and the public are advised to tune into BBC Radio Foyle and Q102.9 FM for regular updates on changes to travel.
"All festival goers should also note that facilities on site will include Information Points and toilets at convenient locations along the Quay. All facilities will be sign-posted and stewards and event staff will be able to provide direction."
Meanwhile, anyone travelling from outside the city should note that Translink are currently offering a wide range of discount bus, coach and train services – so to plan your journey and select your best value ticket simply click HERE or call 90 66 66 30.
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