FP McCann has delivered a heritage-sensitive upgrade to the streetscape within L'Derry's Inner Walled City, commissioned by the Department for Communities, with AECOM as contractor’s designer and Tetra Tech providing NEC project management.

Undertaken on a develop-and-construct basis, the scheme advanced an existing outline design into detailed construction plans. Delivery was coordinated with DfI Roads, the City Centre Initiative (CCI), the NIEA Historic Environment Division (HED), and local stakeholders, residents, businesses and visitors in this busy city centre location.

Works focused on the setting of the Derry City Walls — the largest monument in state care in Northern Ireland — introducing new footway and carriageway surfacing. Natural granite, paired with a cobbled band running alongside the Walls, was used to create a robust, high-quality finish that respects the site’s historic character.

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Pedestrian access and safety were improved through contrasting paving, a rationalised approach to street furniture and kerb depths designed to current standards. Kerblines were also adjusted to encourage lower vehicle speeds while maintaining through-traffic and emergency access.

In total, the project installed about 2,300m² of natural stone paving to footways, 2,350m² of natural stone setts to carriageways, and 1,000m² of asphalt across the area. Direct sourcing of natural stone and the use of FP McCann’s own precast, surfacing, mortars and grouts, and quarrying materials supported programme efficiency and quality control.

Conservation measures included the use of a lime mortar mix — approved by HED — for the joint between the granite cobble band and the Walls. Archaeological monitoring was in place during excavations, with any findings recorded for inclusion in the historic record.