McGuinness and Ritchie unveil winning design for iconic foot and cycle bridge

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, and Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today unveiled the winning design for the new foot and cycle bridge over the river Foyle.

The bridge will be the biggest single regeneration project in Derry City since the Foyle Bridge over thirty years ago.

The project has been taken forward by Ilex Urban Regeneration Company as part of their Regeneration Plan for the city and will receive £13.3million in funding from the European PEACE III Programme.

Speaking at the event to mark the unveiling, Martin McGuinness said: “This bridge can be a significant catalyst for change. It will transform our beautiful city and help transform the local community in the widest sense.

“Spanning 235 metres from bank to bank not only will it open up the Ebrington site it will unite the city physically, symbolically and emotionally.”

Margaret Ritchie, who is responsible for urban regeneration said: “This is a momentous day for Derry. The bridge will be a powerful lasting symbol of the moment a divided people started to reach out to each other.

“My Department is at the forefront of regeneration in Northern Ireland and this Peace Bridge is another example of how physical regeneration can deliver a shared future that everyone can sign up for.”

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