Storm Darragh: Train lines reopen but thousands remain without power in NI

Train lines have reopened in Northern Ireland but thousands of homes remain without power following Storm Darragh.

Gusts of up to 70mph caused extensive damage to the electricity network in the region, with 48,000 customers losing power at the peak of the storm.

Co Antrim saw the most impact, with power station EP Ballylumford temporarily halting electricity generation on Saturday following damage to a chimney and scores of roads blocked by fallen trees.

READ MORE: Dramatic images as Storm Darragh lashes Northern Ireland

READ MORE: Department for Infrastructure statement as staff tackle 900 incidents

A bus also crashed close to Belfast International Airport and a loyalist mural in north Belfast was damaged. On Sunday morning, public transport provider Translink said all rail lines were open, although some speed restrictions are in place.

NIE Networks said 15,000 remained without power at 9am. They have indicated it may take a number of days to reconnect those customers.

Network operations manager Alex Houston said engineers are working to restore customers as quickly as possible.

"Most of the faults affecting high numbers of customers have been repaired which has allowed us to restore significant numbers of customers," he said.

"However, there are still around 1,200 faults across the network, some of which are affecting very small numbers of customers, so we do anticipate that it will take some time before we can get all of these cleared."

"Engineers will be working to restore customers as quickly as they can and we will provide further updates as soon as we are able to."

Community assistance centres are set to open later for those still without power.

South Lake leisure centre in Craigavon, Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn, Blair Mayne in Newtownards, Seven Towers in Ballymena, Cookstown leisure centre, Kilkeel leisure centre and Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will open from 2pm to 4pm offering warm drinks as well as charging and changing facilities.

Additionally, Coleraine leisure centre will open from noon until 3pm and the Red Cross will be working with NIE Networks to provide support at Draperstown Centra, Islandmagee Spar and Newtownstewart Spar from 2pm 4pm.

NIE Networks is also reminding the public to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment, keep children and animals away and to report any incidents of damage immediately to the NIE Networks customer helpline on 03457 643 643.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.