Ira Gets Blame For Traffic Tie-Ups

Explosions and bomb threats blamed on the Irish Republican Army snarled rail and road traffic between northern and southern England on Friday but caused little damage.

Although no group claimed responsibility, Prime Minister John Major and Labor challenger Tony Blair claimed the IRA was trying to disrupt Britain’s election campaign. They pledged it would not succeed.

The explosions and security alerts Friday coincided with a campaign swing by Major to northwestern England. His trips are arranged amid tight security and his itinerary is a closely guarded secret.