Hi °C | Lo °C A year after Secretary of State Peter Hain announced one of the biggest ever investments in Londonderry, government agencies were today accused of dragging their heels on delivering what was promised.
Among the ambitious measures unveiled in December 2005 were the transformation of an Army barracks into an 'urban village', a major public realm project, and two new bridges.
Yet Foyle MLA Wiliam Hay said today there were few visible signs of progress, adding: "It's alright for secretaries of state or ministers to come here and make announcements, yet when a year later people see nothing happening on the ground, questions have to be asked.
"People want to see cranes and work going on, whereas things here seem to be standing still. It's more plans and more studies."
The key components of the package unveiled by Mr Hain on December 13 2005 included major regeneration proposals for Ebrington Barracks and Fort George, as well as:
¿ An additional £9.1m for the Walled City Tourism Signature Project
¿ £8m to support an imaginative public realm project for the Waterloo Place and Guildhall Square area
¿ £20m to facilitate the relocation of Foyle and Londonderry College and Ebrington Primary School onto the Clooney base lands.
Also contained in the document were plans for five new "squares", strategic "gateways" to the city at five different points, a permanent art gallery and an "international design competition" for an iconic piece of art for the city.
Both riverfronts, stretching from St Columb's Park to Craigavon Bridge on the east bank and the bridge to Fort George on the west would also have retail and residential buildings.
Asked for a progress report, the NIO today said the Department of Social Development was responsible for any government input to the plans, as well as the Ilex urban regeneration company. Derry City Council also played a major role in some of the proposals.
On the progress of Foyle and Londonderry Colllege's move to the Waterside, the DSD said today the Department of Education is currently conducting an economic appraisal - a year after the funding announcement.
It has also emerged that the Public Realm project has not even reached the design stage, but the spokesman said an announcement was imminent.
Ilex said its masterplan for Ebrington barracks was announced in October, and a spokeswoman said: "The deadline for consultation process was November 17 and we're currently looking at feedback.
"A total of 14 buildings are being listed by Environment and Heritage Service and a further five buildings of architectural note are also being retained for re-development.
"The remainder of the buildings will be demolished. The contract has been awarded to undertake a study which will identify those buildings affected by asbestos.
"The landmark building on the entire site is the 1841 Clock Tower and Ilex, with a lot of local support, is pursuing the possibility of re-developing it into a regional public art qallery.
"Built in 1841, Ebrington Barracks was built in the shape of a star, the walls of which are a scheduled monument.
"A conservation survey has been awarded and will be completed by February 2007."
In terms of the foot and cycle bridge, the contract for the technical feasibility study will be completed in March.
The Secretary of State also announced a £4m fund to further the arts and culture agenda within the city.
A total of £3.2m was earmarked for capital projects while the remaining £800,000 was set aside for a competition to design an iconic piece of art for the city.
The capital projects, part of the Challenge Fund, was launched in April, said the Ilex spokeswoman, who added: "Twelve submissions were received, eight of which are currently at economic appraisal.
"The results should be announced in January.
"It is acknowledged that the second part of the Challenge Fund - international competition to design an iconic piece of art - will necessarily involve engagement with the key players in arts and culture within the city and also with the general public.
"The piece of public art will be commissioned by international design competition and will be the largest public art commission to date in Northern Ireland."
She said a long-term integrated transport strategy should be completed by September 2007.
Meanwhile, Derry City Council today said work on the implementation of the first tranche of funding of the Walled City Signature project is currently underway.
Measures include the installation of new exhibitions at the Apprentice Boys Hall, St Columb's Cathedral, Museum for Free Derry, the Nerve Centre and the Verbal Arts Centre.
Work on the Walled City gateway signs is also well under way.
