A new pontoon providing access to the River Foyle from the Waterside in Derry is set to open in the spring.
The project was given the green light by Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) in November 2020 to help people of all abilities gain access to the river for leisure and sports activities.
The 66-metre pontoon will offer safe access to the water from the Prehen Boathouse site after years of debate. Many people have complained that the current site has proved too slippy to use at certain times of the year.
Construction has recently begun at the site and a spokesperson for the council said they hope to have the project complete by spring 2022.
The DCSDC spokesperson said: "W ork is ongoing on the creation of a pontoon and the upgrade of the existing car park, as well as the installation of an external platform at the site at Prehen Boathouse.
"The platform and 66m pontoon will be located off the existing steps adjacent to the boathouse, and will also feature an accessible lift for users with limited mobility.
"The improvements will make the river more accessible to all and encourage more access to the Foyle for leisure crafts as well as providing better facilities for existing river based sports clubs in the city.
"Work is expected to be completed at the site by late Spring."
Meanwhile, SDLP councillor Sean Mooney said it was a "good first step" of the wider redevelopment needed at the site.
He said: "When this pontoon is complete, I don't think there will be a better one on either side of the Foyle, which is brilliant for the Waterside.
"Once it opens to the public it'll be a great facility for water-based activities in the city and be a huge boost to all the clubs that are looking to use it.
"We want to develop that site further and hopefully that is what happens now that this pontoon is currently under construction."
Deputy Mayor and Sinn Fein councillor, Christopher Jackson, also welcomed the beginning of the construction work at the site.
He said: "This was much needed for many years and finally after a long time campaigning for it, those clubs will finally see the benefit of it very soon."
"It'll help improve the accessibility of the Foyle to many who couldn't before and it'll be much welcomed by both sides of the community."
Cllr Jackson added: "I think it's only the first phase of the redevelopment needed in that area and I think the next step is that we need a consultation around the boathouse if we want to make a real impact."
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