Ilex to review One Plan as Peace Bridge crossings approach 2million mark

Ilex made the claim as it prepared to review the city’s regeneration plan, the One Plan, alongside the local Strategy Board, at a workshop in St Columb’s Park House on Friday (December 14).

Mayor and co-chair of the city’s Strategy Board, Kevin Campbell, said: “There has been considerable progress in the implementation of the One Plan since it was first launched in June last year including securing City of Culture 2013 and the development of one of the most exciting events programme any city on these islands has ever seen.

“The Peace Bridge has also been opened with over 1-2 million crossings to date alongside Ebrington Square and the delivery of the walking and cycling greenway in the Waterside.

“The One Plan has also been embedded in the Executive’s Programme for Government and the Economic Strategy for Northern Ireland.

“Our main objective of this review day is to build on the successes to date setting out our priorities over the next 18 months by identifying and presenting solutions to immediate challenges affecting the implementation of the regeneration plan so that together we can progress with delivering remarkable change that is transforming our city”.

Ilex’s Interim Chairman and co-chair of the city’s Strategy Board, Matt McNulty, said: “We are committed to monitoring the impact of the One Plan over the period to 2020 and Friday’s review is an important step in this process.

“The One Plan is a ‘living’ document and is flexible in its implementation, so to maximise opportunities, we must work together in partnership to agree the best way forward.

“Real step change in the city will be measured primarily by the growth of the local economy through job creation, namely 12,900 jobs from 2011-2020 and the positive social impact that can achieve.

“Already we have secured £12m funding for the North West Regional Science Park at Fort George, we have delivered the City of Culture Capital Infrastructure programme and have started to develop the planned creative hub at Ebrington Square.

“Our aim is to continue to successfully transform this wonderful city by putting measures in place to attract investors, ignite positive change and deliver something truly distinctive for our communities and future generations.”