Hopes For L'Derry City Deal Early Next Year

A Sinn Fein MP has said she is hopeful that a City Deal for the L'Derry and the north West will be announced in the early part of 2019.

It follows a meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May at Stormont on Tuesday 27 November, in which Elisha McCallion MP advocated for the funding.

In his budget announcement last month, Chancellor Philip Hammond approved a Belfast city deal worth £350million, but negotiations for a L'Derry deal commenced at a later stage and are yet to be given the go ahead.

"I raised a City Deal for the north west at a meeting in Belfast between the Sinn Fein leadership and British Prime Minister Theresa May," the Foyle MP said.

"I am pleased that the response from the British government was positive and the indications are that an announcement could be made in the early part of next year. 

"While that is welcome, success can only be judged against delivery and Sinn Fein will continue to press at the highest level to ensure that this city deal becomes a reality."

Mrs McCallion continued that the anticipated deal is "ambitious and properly resourced" to help unlock the full potential of the region.

"That is my party's vision for a successful city deal and we will continue to pursue it on that basis."



(JG/MH)