Storm-related disruption affected travel across the island of Ireland over the weekend, with flights canceled at Belfast International Airport and Dublin Airport, public transport diversions in Northern Ireland, and the temporary closure of Foyle Bridge in Londonderry.
About 40 flights were canceled at Belfast International Airport and 30 at Dublin Airport. Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said on Sunday that it had received reports of around 470 storm-related incidents, including fallen trees and flooding.
Transport disrupted by storm conditions
A spokesperson for Northern Ireland’s public transport company, Translink, said some bus services had been diverted over the weekend because of falling debris. Rail restrictions were also introduced in affected areas.
Foyle Bridge in Londonderry was closed on Saturday because of high winds and reopened on Sunday night.
SDLP city councillor Mark H. Durkan said he understood why the bridge had to be closed during the storm, but said the prolonged closure caused massive traffic congestion in the city.
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme, Durkan said directing vehicles to the lower level of Craigavon Bridge would increase traffic and demonstrate that the city urgently needed a third bridge.
“Delhi’s infrastructure capacity has increased to meet its needs,” Durkan said.
“I don’t think two vehicular bridges are enough for the city on this side and the population of this city.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk