Fresh Fears Over Derry Wall Collapses

Derry's Walls are coming down - or at least partly - with fears this week of more damage to come after a 30ft section of wall in Marlborough Terrace, Londonderry collapsed causing a landslide that crushed cars.

This was made worse when a second section of the wall gave way on Saturday afternoon and residents were asked to move from seven homes.

Now, there are renewed fears that someone could be killed or badly hurt before the problem is properly tackled.

Already, the Sinn Fein MP and Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has been on site and inspected the damage caused after a second section of a wall near houses in Londonderry collapsed.

He was in his home city after party colleague, MLA Martina Anderson had said residents had "every right" to feel frustrated at the situation.

She said she had asked for a structural assessment to be completed on Friday, along with Mr McGuinness, and revealed that a structural engineer came to inspect the site on Sunday.

His report is due today and it is hoped that it will point the way forward in a complex situation that has developed over the ownership of the land concerned.

"We know there is a shed and a further wall that are going to come down, so we've asked the residents to stay away from the back of the houses," added Ms Anderson at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the SDLP Derry City Councillor John Boyle has called for "active and immediate action" from the Stormont Executive after witnessing the further collapsing of a large section of wall in the Marlborough area of the city on Saturday.

Cllr Boyle said: "The situation in the Marlborough area is intolerable for local residents and it's obviously deteriorating rapidly and is very serious.

"I was present on Saturday afternoon when a significant section of wall collapsed.

"It was a very terrifying situation. The problem is much bigger than anything Derry City Council can handle on its own.

"Council staff have been doing their utmost to keep people safe and they must be commended for their work. It's now time that leaders in Stormont take the situation seriously and act decisively to support the city council in alleviating the anxiety and suffering of local people," he said.

A Derry City Council spokesman said on BBC Radio Ulster this morning make things clearer, although he again reiterated that the land is owned by various residents and also that the various insurance companies concerned had so far failed to properly address the issue.

He told Good Morning Ulster listeners that it was their aim to get the insurers around the table as soon as possible .

Yesterday a Council statement said: "Council is also seeking specialist advice to assist with an assessment of the remaining wall structure in the Marlborough Road area.

"We will continue to liaise with all the necessary public agencies to provide advice and support to residents at this time."

(BMcC)