A decision on the future of a derelict factory badly damaged by fire in Londonderry will be made on Wednesday, the Department of the Environment has confirmed.

The decision on the Tillie and Henderson building was not expected until next month, but the department said the fire at the former shirt factory a fortnight ago has speeded up the process.

Abercorn Road, which has been closed since the fire, is expected to reopen to traffic on Tuesday.

Derry City Council said a four metre retaining wall is being erected at the building, which will allow one lane of the road to open.

Publican Brendan Doherty said traders in the area relied on passing trade.

'Regularly targeted'

Business owners had been calling for the road to be reopened.

Firefighters spent all night dealing with the fire which extensively damaged the factory.

The Foyle Road, Abercorn Road and the top-deck of the Craigavon Bridge were closed as the fire service tried to stop the blaze spreading to nearby homes.

The premises had been regularly targeted by arsonists with a number of fires set there in the last few months.

One of the city's most recognisable buildings, the former shirt factory dominates the cityside end of the Craigavon Bridge at Carlisle Square.

The factory, which was built in 1856, was seen by many as a symbol of Derry's textile industry, which dominated employment in the city for almost 140 years.