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Bridge reopens after vehicle fire leads to traffic delays

News imageGetty An aerial view of Foyle Bridge. A large grey bridge between two grassy land masses. A number of cars are visible crossing the bridge over the River Foyle. Getty
The bridge was closed to all traffic for several hours on Thursday

The Foyle Bridge in Londonderry, which was closed for several hours following a vehicle fire that caused lengthy traffic delays, has since reopened.

Earlier on Thursday, police warned road users of significant delays in the city after a car fire resulted in the closure of the bridge to traffic in both directions.

Emergency services worked to put out the car fire and following this, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said officials arrived on site to remove debris from the carriageway and make it safe to reopen.

In an updated social media post on Thursday evening, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the Foyle Bridge had since reopened to all traffic.

The Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) said crews were called to the bridge at 13:00 BST on Thursday following reports that a car was on fire.

NIFRS said the "cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental ignition", adding it has now been put out and the scene handed over to police.

A structural inspection of the bridge has been ongoing since mid July, that includes a 30mph speed limit and temporary lane closures.