Officials from Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure, working alongside police, cleared hundreds of wooden pallets from beneath the Lecky Road flyover in Derry's Bogside area early on Wednesday morning. The materials were taken away because they posed what the department described as a serious fire hazard, given that gas mains run beneath the road surface. Despite the removal, pallets were set alight on the road on two consecutive nights, forcing temporary closures.
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure explained that storing the pallets in that location was unlawful and created a dangerous situation.
The "illegal storage" of the pallets under the flyover posed a "significant fire safety risk" as there were gas mains under the tarmac.
Following the clearance operation, the Lecky Road had to be shut temporarily after some of the removed items were reportedly ignited on the roadway itself. Police confirmed the closure and later had to shut the road again that evening when further pallets were set on fire, urging drivers to steer clear of the area.
Was there any unrest connected to the bonfire dispute?
Yes — SDLP councillor John Boyle told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that isolated clashes between young people broke out at interface areas on Wednesday night.
