£25 million project set to transform River Foyle

by Q Radio News

A £25 million art, culture, health and business project is set to totally transform Derry/Londonderry's River Foyle. 

The ‘Our Future Foyle’ project will see Northern Ireland’s largest art form stretch across the Foyle Bridge, digitally enabled bubble hubs placed along the river walkways and art and sculpture lining the two sides of the river.

The project has been developed by the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and the Public Health Agency.

It is hoped, subject to planning and the commitment of funding, that the project will be in place by 2020 and will support and deliver a series of health interventions addressing, and raising awareness of, suicide prevention.

(Proposed 'Foyle Bubbles' along the Foyle River - Artist simulation)

John Davison from planning and development consultancy Turley said it is a good news story for the city, which hopes to create a more positive perception of the Foyle Bridge and river banks: 

Mr Davison says the next step will be conducting a public consultation:

(Proposed Foyle Reeds along the Foyle Bridge in Derry/Londonderry - Artist Simulation)

Foyle MP, Elisha McCallion has also welcomed the launch of the project: 

"‘Our Future Foyle’ project is a ground-breaking initiative with the potential ‘to transform lives as well as the waterfront . 

"I have been working with the promoters of Our FutureFoyle ever since I was elected MP and I am hugely excited by their vision and I am determined to help make it a reality.

“It is an extremely exciting venture that the whole city and region should unite behind to help make it a reality,”

“I see it is an opportunity to bring the riverfront to life in a way that not only helps to attract tourists but also provides real economic and social benefits to the people who live here.

“For example, the ‘Foyle Bubbles’ project will see 42 pop-up pods installed along the riverfront providing bespoke spaces for retail and community use.

“We are all too aware that there is of course a tragic story also connected with our river and those occupying these pods will be trained in mental health education so that they are also ready to respond to and assist anyone who may be in distress on the riverfront.”

 “This is an opportunity to do something wonderful for our city, to transform our riverfront and, most importantly of all, bring hope and beauty to a place which - for too many and too long - has been a place of darkness and despair.”

Linked below is a short video about the 'Our Future Foyle' project:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNhBLNFfZvM