New Warning System For Foyle Bridge In High Winds

30 June 2006
NEW WARNING SYSTEM FOR FOYLE BRIDGE IN HIGH WINDS

Regional Development Minister, David Cairns, today announced a new warning system for the Foyle Bridge in Londonderry during high winds.
The Minister said: "Roads Service is about to start installing a series of variable message signs strategically placed across the City. This will warn drivers when there are high winds on the Foyle Bridge and advise of alternative routes."
Roads Service reviewed the procedures for closure of the bridge during high winds following the tragic accident last year when a heavy goods vehicle crashed through the safety barrier during a period of high winds, resulting in the death of lorry driver Peter McGuinness. While an independent review into the accident found the procedures in place at the time to be satisfactory, the review did make a number of recommendations that are being implemented in full by Roads Service.
When wind speeds reach the first trigger level of 30mph, signs on the bridge will display an advisory speed limit of 30mph. If they increase to the second trigger level of 40mph, signs on the bridge approaches will direct high-sided vehicles to use the Craigavon Bridge. Finally, when the wind speed exceeds 50mph the Foyle Bridge will be closed to all vehicles. The above restrictions should lead to a significantly enhanced safety margin for traffic using the bridge in high winds.
The Minister said: "I am pleased to announce that the erection of more variable message signs to facilitate the introduction of the new Bridge Management System is about to commence. The first phase of the signs, which introduce an advisory speed limit on the bridge, were installed before last winter. The new system, costing Ł800,000, will have the capacity of automatically receiving information from the wind monitoring equipment on the bridge and displaying appropriate warnings and instructions on the variable message signs."
Now that the remaining signs have been designed and purchased from the specialist suppliers, installation work is about to start. Commissioning and testing of the new Bridge Management System will be completed over the summer in readiness for next winter.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0007.

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