A local council has confirmed that remedial work has begun to restore a popular race track in Derry after complaints over its bad condition.
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said that "ongoing issues" with drainage at the St Columb's Park running track caused the track to cut up and waterlog.
It comes after Derry Track Club took to social media to complain about the state of the public facility.
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The facility was used at the finishing point for the city's popular Waterside Half Marathon on September 4, with one person branding it as an 'embarrassment'.
They wrote: "That track is a disgrace, the council are supposed to be promoting health and well-being through exercise, and then do absolutely nothing to improve this facility, that both young and older runners use."
A second wrote: "Finishing the half marathon on that on Sunday was an embarrassment to this town, the council are a disgrace."
Meanwhile, a third added: "The fact that the town doesn’t have a decent, safe track is disgraceful. I pay for my daughter to use the [Templemore Sports] Complex which I wouldn’t mind doing but it’s awful and not up to standard.
"It’s embarrassing and sad for our committed running community that there is no track facility available. Lots and lots of talking about it over the years but no action as usual."
However, in a statement to MyDerry, the Derry City and Strabane Council spokesperson said they were currently carrying out work to address the current surface damage.
"There are ongoing issues with drainage at the St Columb's Park running track which have led to the track cutting up and retaining water after periods of heavy rainfall and footfall," the spokesperson said.
"Work has previously been carried out to improve drainage on the site however heavy rainfall and footfall at the Waterside Half Marathon caused further damage.
"Council officers are currently undertaking remedial works to address the latest surface damage."
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