The Department of Infrastructure (DfI) has said that a ‘dual naming’ approach for road signage on the roads leading to Derry on the new A6 has now been shelved pending review.
The Department had previously said that they were working towards the approach that would see road signs from Dungiven to Derry change from "Londonderry" to "Derry/Londonderry".
It comes after SDLP's Mark H Durkan made the call for the name to be changed, saying that the move would be "progressive".
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The Foyle MLA said: “Given I have been raising the prospect of dual naming on these signs for some time, I fail to see how the project is at too advanced a stage, particularly as many of the signs along this route have not yet been put in place.
“This is an issue that isn’t going away, I will continue to engage with the department regarding the possibility of dual signage being used on any new signage being erected.
"Unfortunately, the current signs will continue being defaced and I don’t see any barrier to having new signs including both names used to accommodate both traditions.
“I have also consistently raised the tourism benefits of including both names used for our city on new signs. It would be beneficial for visitors to our city to be sure they are heading to the right place and end the confusion that has long existed for those not familiar with the area.”
Meanwhile, it has also emerged that Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has asked DfI officials to carry out a review of the current approach.
A DfI spokesperson said: “Signage for the A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe scheme had already been ordered. Mr Durkan was advised that any changes to the signage at this late stage of the project would cause a delay to the completion of the works and result in significant additional costs.
"For these reasons, it is not practicable to make the proposed amendments at this time. However, Minister O’Dowd has asked officials to carry out a review of the current approach with a possible view of moving to one that accommodates dual naming on traffic signs across the network.”
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