SDLP Derry City Cllr Angela Dobbins has welcomed the news of 111 new homes at the social housing development to begin work in April 2013 in Skeoge/ Glenabbey area of Shantallow.

Cllr Dobbins said: "There is a very real need for social housing in the Shantallow area and indeed throughout Derry. This development will be a welcomed boost for the local construction industry and will be a step in the right direction to tackle the social housing shortage which exists in our city. The figures for homelessness and housing stress are worrying and have grown enormously in recent years. We need a much larger building programme, both private-sector and social housing.

-- Advertisement --

"Whilst I welcome this new development in the Shantallow area, I do however have concern regarding the existing traffic problem in the area and in particular problems during peak hours. Residents in this area are having difficulty safely joining the main trunk road and long queues concur due to this problem.

"I would urge the Department of Environment and Regional Development to deal with these on-going issues as a matter of priority."

(CD)