
Londonderry: Traffic 'chaos' sparks better management calls
Road works on Madam's Bank Road resumed on Monday after a pause while The Open took place in Portrush.NI Water said it had now revised some road restrictions in the city.
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme, Eamonn O'Donnell from North West Taxi Proprietors said the tournament should be an "opportunity to showcase the city".Instead, he said, poor traffic management had "created chaos"."It was chaotic and a poor reflection of the city," he said."There should have been a moratorium on roadworks across the city."
On Monday, NI Water said they were laying new wastewater infrastructure on Madam's Bank Road to support new development in the city.Sewer improvements area also planned to get under way this week on Queens Quay in the city centre.A spokesperson said the projects had been scheduled to take place – as far as possible – during the summer months to minimise disruption to school traffic.NI Water said that, from Tuesday, traffic would be reduced to one lane only where necessary, keeping two lanes open near the Culmore Road roundabout.Traffic controls on Culmore Road and Foyle Bridge would also be lifted.A decision on further postponing works on Queens Quay will be confirmed later.That work had been paused to accommodate the Foyle Cup's opening parade.
SDLP assembly member Mark H Durkan said the resumption of work at Madam's Bank should also have been paused."It is very disappointing this hasn't been prepared for, hadn't been anticipated and action taken to prevent the chaos that we saw on our streets yesterday," he said.Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy told BBC Radio Foyle it was "disappointing to be talking about traffic" given the success of the tournament.She said it was her understanding that the tournament organiser had met police and the Department for Infrastructure to discuss traffic management but added those discussions "needed to be widened"."I believe the concentration was on the parade and wasn't widened out further and roadworks going on there. Those are the lessons we need to learn," she said."All these roadworks are known, always out for consultation, but I think a ball was dropped by quite a few of us."Almost 1,000 teams – some 20,000 players – are taking part in the Foyle Cup which runs until Saturday.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Belfast Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Ireland Women must relish chance to show skill against Europe's best, insists boss after naming EuroHockey Championships panel
Grundie is confident that his side can make a positive impression in the biennial competition and insists the 11th-ranked team in the world aren't just there to make up the numbers, casting his sights on clinching a Semi-Final place. Ireland face the Netherlands – the world's No.1-ranked side – in the tournament opener on Saturday, August 9 (2.30pm BST) before clashes with France on Monday, August 11 (2.45pm BST) and hosts Germany on Wednesday, August 13 (7.00pm BST). There are also several Northern Ireland-based players listed in the squad, including Belfast Harlequins defender Katie Larmour, Katie McKee and Charlotte Beggs in midfield and Coleraine native Katie Mullan, who is approaching her 250th appearance for Ireland, among the attacking options at Grundie's disposal. 'We're really excited to get going at the EuroHockey Championships,' said Grundie. 'It's a fantastic tournament and a great stage for us to test ourselves against the best teams in Europe. 'There's a great energy in the group, with a number of new faces getting their first taste of competition at this level. It's an invaluable opportunity for them to gain experience and make their mark. 'We're not here just to take part; we want to challenge the top sides and push hard for a place in the Semi-Finals. 'The players are ready, and we're looking forward to seeing what we can deliver.' Fixtures: Netherlands vs Ireland – Saturday, August 9 (2.30pm BST) Ireland vs France – Monday, August 11 (2.45pm BST) Ireland vs Germany – Wednesday, August 13 (7.00pm BST) Ireland Women's squad: Elizabeth Murphy, Holly Micklem, Ellen Curran, Katie Larmour, Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLoughlin, Caoimhe Perdue, Roisin Upton, Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Christina Hamill, Sarah Hawkshaw, Emily Kealy, Katie McKee, Niamh Carey, Katie Mullan, Mikayla Power, Sarah Torrans.


BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
NIFL set for two-tier restructure for 2026-27
The Northern Ireland Football League has announced a restructure for the 2026-27 season. NIFL is the body that runs the Irish Premiership, Championship and Premier Intermediate Leagues - the top three divisions in Northern Ireland which each contain 12 teams. However, a restructure will see an expanded 16-team Championship formed and bring an end to the Premier Intermediate League for the 2026-27 a National Conference League will be formed for tiers three to five of the football pyramid in Northern structure of the Irish Premiership will remain unchanged and NIFL says the goal is to have five divisions of 12 teams within "three to four years".At the end of the 2025-26 season, there will be no relegation from the Championship and the top four teams from the Premier Intermediate League will be promoted to the second tier for the restructure. The remaining teams will be part of the National Conference says the move is an "evolution" and chief operating officer Steven Mills said it came as a result of both Irish FA and NIFL strategies. "I believe they create a clear performance pathway for ambitious clubs, while also challenging existing clubs to further develop and progress," said Mills."A lot of work from key stakeholders has gone into this, and we thank them all for their input, most importantly our clubs. "This also further highlights the urgent need for the NI Football Fund to come to fruition and for increased investment to continue growing the game, as our clubs continue to face the evolving challenges and needs of their communities."In addition to the restructure, the NIFL board has a new Professional Game Ground Criteria, which is a five-year plan to raise standards across the Premiership and Championship.


Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Luke Littler names rival with best mentality in darts
Luke Littler has risen to the top of darts at just 18 years old, but he doesn't think he has the best mentality in the sport. The world champion came through an epic World Matchplay clash with Jermaine Wattimena on Wednesday, showing great character to recover from a nightmare start. The Nuke looked to be on his way home from Blackpool when he fell 7-2 down to the Dutchman, but battled back impressively. He eventually prevailed 13-11 and booked his place in the quarter-finals where he will play Andrew Gilding. Asked if the victory was proof that he has the best mentality in darts, Littler rejected the idea and hailed former Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall as the standout player in that department. 'I probably wouldn't say so. I think one of the best players with the best mentality is probably Nathan Aspinall,' said Littler. 'If he's 5-0, 6-0 down he's going to find a way to come back. I was three or four legs down each time tonight and found a way out of it. 'I know Nathan so well and all you know he never gives up, he'll always try to the end. I just said to myself, you've got to find something here, pull it out of the bag.' Littler may not rate his mentality as the best in the game but he is certainly not lacking in confidence as he continues his bid for a first Matchplay title. 'I'm a World Champion for a reason. I find these gears when I need it,' he said. 'I've not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship against Ryan Meikle. 'Jermaine kept putting me under pressure. He was always right behind me, but when I got into the lead I was determined not to let it slip away.' Littler and Gilding meet on Friday night in what looks like a blockbuster night in Blackpool as Josh Rock also takes on Gerwyn Price in the last eight. Two of the form players on the planet, Rock edged out Michael van Gerwen 13-11 on Wednesday, while Price hammered Chris Dobey 11-3. Thursday July 24 8pmGian van Veen v James Wade Stephen Bunting v Jonny Clayton Friday July 25 8pmLuke Littler v Andrew Gilding Josh Rock v Gerwyn Price Rock, who beat Price in the World Cup final alongside Northern Ireland teammate Daryl Gurney, was pumped up after downing the Dutch legend. More Trending 'That's one of the best games I've ever been involved in, without a doubt,' said the 24-year-old. 'I think you could see by my celebrations at the end what that meant to me. My heart was pumping throughout the whole game. 'Michael always seems to turn up against me, but I'm so happy to get the win.' On the other side of the draw rising Dutch star and conqueror of Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, takes on former champion James Wade and Stephen Bunting plays Jonny Clayton. MORE: Signing Viktor Gyokeres makes it a win-or-bust season for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal MORE: Alexander Isak odds: Would Newcastle really sell their star striker to Arsenal or Liverpool? MORE: Who's next for Oleksandr Usyk? Joseph Parker could get his shot but a third fight with Tyson Fury cannot be ruled out