Calls have been made for the Derry City and Strabane District Council to finish upgrading work on the Claudy bombing memorial ahead of the 50th anniversary.
The Claudy bombing occurred on July 31 1972, when three car bombs exploded mid-morning, two on Main Street and one on Church Street in Claudy.
The attack killed nine civilians and injured thirty others.
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said "deeply regrettable" that an upgraded memorial had not been facilitated to date.
Ms Hunter said she had recently met with both victims and survivors and the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) victims’ group to discuss the important issue.
She said victims were extremely emotional, distressed and disappointed over the council's decision.
She added: "I have long been engaging with the Claudy families and survivors over their efforts to have a fitting memorial established to the atrocity that took place in their village and it's deeply regrettable that just months away from the 50th anniversary we are no further forward.
“The families were hoping that important upgrading work would be finished in time for the commemoration at the end of July and they are very upset that this seems unlikely to be the case.
“I am appealing to Derry and Strabane council to do everything in their power to ensure that a fitting memorial is in place in time for the anniversary, it’s the least we can do for victims and survivors to give them a proper space to remember the loved ones they lost.
"There is a strong collective will to see this project completed and I’m willing to work with the council and political representatives from all parties to ensure this is the case.
“The Claudy bombing has cast a long shadow over this village. There are few people in this area who weren’t affected or know someone who was and for many the scars and deep hurt are still as real today as they were 50 years ago.
"The 50th anniversary will be a very difficult one for people in this community and we must do everything we can to facilitate a fitting memorial for this important event.”
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that the Council has "ongoing responsibilities" with regard to the Claudy Bomb Memorial as this sits within a Council owned car park.
In a statement, they said: "Council has engaged with representatives of the families and the local community in Claudy over recent months with regard to maintenance and health and safety works required at the monument in advance of the forthcoming 50th-anniversary commemorations.
"Going forward the Council has agreed to engage further with the families and wider community about the long-term plans for the Memorial."
The spokesperson for the Council explained that this process will involve securing budgets, possible planning permission and also an extensive consultation and engagement process. In the meantime, the essential maintenance works and cleaning of the Claudy Memorial will continue.
