Number of road closures in Derry as emergency services attend gas leak

Road users are advised of a number of road closures in place this afternoon, Wednesday, October 16 in Derry due to a gas leak in the Collon Lane area.

The Racecourse Road is closed at its junctions with the Buncrana Road and Carnhill.

Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service are at the scene.

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Please avoid the area.

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney said: "We understand that there is a gas leak at St. Patrick's Pennyburn Primary School, and that the children’s parents have all been contacted to collect children from the backend of the school.

"We hope things return to normal as quickly as possible and anything that we can do to help we are willing to do but I’m sure it is pretty alarming for the school community and parents are rushing to collect their children from school unexpectedly.

"So, I would expect there to be a bit of traffic disruption around Carnhill and the Racecourse road as this is dealt with."

A spokesperson for St. Patrick's Primary School said: "We can confirm that an incident took place at St Patrick’s PS this afternoon after a gas leak was reported. 

 "Staff and pupils were evacuated on advice from the NIFRS.

 "EA’s emergency planning team and maintenance staff were deployed to the site and emergency services were at the scene.

"Firmus Gas has isolated the supply to the building and carried out gas safety checks of the school building and grounds.

"It is expected that the school supply will be reconnected by 5pm this evening [16.10.24] and normal school operation will resume tomorrow [17,10.24]."