Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has been urged to lift road closures which are set to affect fans travelling to next weekend’s FAI Cup Final.
Derry City take on Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin next Sunday, November 10.
Over 30,000 Candystripes fans are expected to travel to cheer on Ruaidhri Higgins’ side.
But SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid is concerned over road closures planned for the main Derry to Dublin route on the day of the game.
She said Ash Avenue and Grangefoyle Road near Strabane are both set to be closed between 8am and 6pm.
Ms McDaid has written to Mr O’Dowd asking him to open the roads on the day of the game, saying “common sense” should prevail.
“I’ve recently learned of plans for two road closures along the main Derry to Dublin route near Strabane on the day of the match,” she said.
“This has the potential to create traffic chaos, with Derry fans travelling in their droves to see their team play in the cup final.
“I have written to Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd asking him to lift these road closures for the day of the cup final to ensure that every Derry City fan can get to the game in a safe and timely fashion.
“Nobody wants to see a great day out blighted with traffic gridlock and I hope that common sense will prevail and we can get this sorted ahead of next Sunday.”
Derry have lifted the FAI Cup six times, most recently in 2022.