Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said the BBC must listen to the public on the future on Radio Foyle.

The broadcaster has scaled back plans to cut programming and staff following a sustained campaign from people across Derry and the North West.

Mr Eastwood expressed his disappointment at the station’s breakfast show being cut to just half an hour, but said efforts to ensure Radio Foyle is properly resourced would continue.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said:

“When the BBC announced plans to gut BBC Radio Foyle earlier this year there was huge public outcry across Derry and the wider area and I am extremely proud of the grassroots campaign that emerged to prevent this important resource being ripped away from our city.

“As a result of people coming together to send a message to the BBC about their decision I am glad that we have been able to mitigate the worst of these cuts and prevent the loss of some jobs and programming at the station.

“Unfortunately, there will be significant disappointment across the region at the decisions announced today, particularly the shortening of the station’s popular breakfast show to just half an hour. The loss of three-quarters of the show will be keenly felt by both listeners and the Radio Foyle staff who work so hard to bring people local news.

“The campaign that was launched to save BBC Radio Foyle shows us what we can achieve when our community comes together and speaks out with one voice. The fight for Radio Foyle is far from over and the SDLP will continue to lobby the BBC to protect and expand services and jobs now and in the future.”