The public are being advised to expect some disruptions to travel in and around the city centre ahead of this year's Halloween celebrations in Derry - Londonderry on Monday 31st October.
With thousands expected to gather in the city centre for one of the biggest celebrations of the year, a number of car park and road closures will be put in place to guarantee public safety and viewing of the main parade.
Derry City and Strabane District Council’s ‘Out of this World’ parade will begin at 7.00pm making its way from Council’s Car Park on Queen’s Quay where it will move along Boating Club Lane to the Strand Road.
From here it will proceed along the Strand Road to Harbour Square Roundabout before progressing along Queens Quay, where it will end at approximately 7.50pm. The parade will be followed by a world class fireworks display on the Foyle from 8.00pm.
Sharon Meenan, Events Co-ordinator at Derry City and Strabane District Council advised:
"Anyone planning to attend the festivities should note that Queen’s Quay will be closed to traffic from 6.00pm until 8.30pm (slightly earlier than previous years) and that Queen’s Quay and Foyle Street Car Parks will be closed all day. Strand Road Car Park will be open for Accessible Parking only. There will be no access to Quayside or Victoria Market Car parks from 6.00pm until 8.30pm to facilitate the passing of the parade, but both will remain open prior to and following the parade and fireworks.
"Car parking will be available at major car parks such as Foyleside Shopping Centre, Quayside Shopping Centre, William Street Car Park and at the Fort George and Ebrington sites. Further traffic diversions will be in place in and around the city centre, therefore we do advise that where possible avoid driving to the city centre, opt to park and stride where possible and allow a little extra time for your journey. Park and stride facilities are available at both Fort George and Ebrington. The Peace Bridge will also be closed from 7.30pm until 8.30pm. Once the event has ended, Peace Bride and road access should be returned to normal fairly quickly.
"To those looking to get a good viewing position of the fireworks, Queen’s Quay will be the ideal spot. There will also be an accessible viewing area for people with disabilities located on the Queen’s Quay opposite the City Hotel and in the Strand Road Car Park. I’d advise that any disabled persons with impaired mobility who wish to avail of this area arrive a little earlier in order to ensure unimpeded access before the surrounding areas become heavily crowded."
Derry City and Strabane District Council have introduced a new point of contact to the Carnival for Access and Inclusion making the event more accessible and inclusive to all. This will include additions to the provisions from previous years such as a quiet room available on the 31st October at Harbour House. Should anyone require details in regards to access and inclusion for this event please contact Louise Boyce via email at louise.boyce@derrystrabane.com or telephone 028 7125 3253, ext 4349. Information is also available at www.derrystrabane.com/
Translink have confirmed there services will run as normal around any road closures.
Translink bus information can be found at www.translink.co.uk/Routes-
Further updates to travel arrangements will be made available on Q Radio throughout the day.
Halloween carnival care information available at http://www.derrystrabane.com/
Further travel details
Motorists travelling into the city for the carnival are advised to follow AA directional signage.
The last train departure from Derry-Londonderry to Belfast is at 9.33pm on Monday evening.
A Superhero Themed Family Carriage with spot prizes and entertainment will be available on the 11.10am train from Belfast Central Station which will run to the Derry-Londonderry Station. Advance booking is required. Full details are available online at translink.co.uk/outofthisworld
Parking Information:
Existing car parking areas that will be available include:
Cityside car parks: Foyleside Shopping Centre Car Park East and Foyleside West (until 11.00pm), Quayside Shopping Centre (until 11.00pm), Foyle Road, Magee Campus (Lawrence Hill), Strand Road, Society Street, Bishop Street, Carlisle Road and William Street.
Waterside car parks: Ebrington Square, Alfred Street, Bond’s Hill, Distillery Brae, Simpson’s Brae, Spencer Road and Waterside Health Centre.
The Park and Stride at Fort George will be in operation for the Halloween Carnival and event parking will also be available on the Ebrington site.
Motorists are advised that there are likely to be delays when exiting some car parks during the parade and after the fireworks display.
Disabled parking:
A limited number of disabled viewing car parking spaces for the parade and fireworks display are available in Strand Road Car Park. These will not be accessible after 6.30pm due to traffic restrictions on the Strand Road. Blue Badge holders are advised to use available public, disabled car parking spaces.
Parking restrictions:
Drivers are reminded that normal on street parking restrictions will be in place and that they should avoid parking anywhere where they may be blocking entrances to residences or businesses or where they may be obstructing emergency access. Car parks at Queen’s Quay and Foyle Street will be closed on Monday.
No car park spaces will be available on the access road to Victoria Market Car Park, however car parking will be available in the car park itself (restrictions to exiting/entering this car park will be in place from 6pm until 8.30pm).
Any further parking restrictions will be indicated by “no parking” cones.
Drop offs:
Vehicles stopping to drop off passengers are advised to park in a safe location and to avoid the immediate vicinity of Queen’s Quay and the Limavady Road / St. Columb’s Road junction, in order to minimise traffic congestion.
Traffic restrictions:
Motorists are advised to expect some delays and diversions during the parade and fireworks display.
In the interests of safety, the following roads will be closed to traffic or have traffic restrictions in place for the event:
- Lane closures will be introduced along the Strand Road and Foyle Embankment in advance of the parade. The Strand Road lane closure in front of the Council offices will be in operation between 6.00pm and 8.45pm. The Foyle Embankment lane closure, on the city bound approach to Water Street will be operational from 6.50pm until approximately 8.30pm.
- Strand Road, Harbour Square, Queen’s Quay, Whittaker Street and the Foyle Embankment, between Water Street and the City Hotel, will be closed to traffic for varying lengths of time during the evening events, between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. Alternative diversion routes will be available during these times.
Please note that all times are approximate and that road closures and diversions will be kept to the minimum length necessary to ensure safety.
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