Race organisers apologise after Derry traffic chaos

The organisers of a 10-mile road race in Londonderry have apologised for the “unforeseen traffic congestion” the event caused.

One lane of the city’s Strand Road was closed to facilitate the Walled City 10-mile road race’s 2,000 runners on Saturday morning.

That was necessary, organisers said, because of a change to the race’s usual course due to the construction of the city’s newest bridge.

They said delays were “far beyond" anything anticipated by the organisers.

“We understand the frustration caused by the traffic congestion and sincerely once again apologise for any inconvenience experienced by the community during our event,” the organisers said in a statement.

They added: “Moving forward, we will strive to minimise disruptions and maintain the integrity of our event while accommodating the needs of our participants and the public”.

Police said they would review the event's traffic management with race organisers.

"We are aware of, and we understand the frustration experienced by drivers who were caught in lengthy and long traffic tailbacks on Saturday,” a police spokeswoman said.

The race route of previous years was altered due to construction work

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan was among those taking part in the race.

He said his finishing time of 69 minutes and 45 seconds on Saturday morning was five minutes quicker than his wife and children’s three-mile car journey from the city’s Foyle bridge to the quay.

The congestion, he told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today, had caused “many people inconvenience, some people considerable expense”.

He added: “This could have been avoided if we collectively had been better getting the messaging out to the public and identifying diversions so that people would know to set out earlier and avoid particular areas”.

'No objections'

Organisers said the race’s traditional route along the city’s quay could not be used because of the works at the new Pennyburn bridge.

“Despite efforts to find alternatives, including engaging with contractors and securing necessary permits, the only viable option was to create a temporary lane restriction on Strand Road,” they said.

Organisers added: “We provided a traffic management plan to the Department for Infrastructure and Derry City and Strabane District Council, which was printed in the local press and granted after the consultation period with no objections”.

A spokeswoman for the council said the road closure had been granted in full consultation with relevant authorities including the police and other emergency services.

She added: "It is important to note that the ongoing works to develop the greenway and the pedestrian bridge along this route would prevent many of the issues highlighted recurring in the future."