Monday, January 6, 2014

UK storms: Weather hits travel as many return to work

BBC News

The latest storm to hit the UK is causing disruption for many returning to work after the Christmas break.

Roads are closed and train services are cancelled or delayed in some areas.

Waves of up to 27ft (8m) have been recorded at the most southern tip of the UK, with forecasters warning coastal areas could see more flooding.

In Aberystwyth, seafront student flats are being evacuated, and across the UK dozens of flood warnings - including one severe - remain in place.

The highest level of warning - indicating danger to life and property - was issued by the Environment Agency for the Lower Stour in Dorset.

Western and southern areas are bearing the brunt of the latest severe weather, and flooding could be worse than that seen in recent days.

The latest travel disruption includes:


  • Damage to railway lines caused by recent high winds and heavy rain is affecting Arriva Trains Wales services in many parts of Wales
  • First Great Western is advising passengers to Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset or Hampshire to leave as early as possible because of potential flooding
  • South West Trains services between Fulwell in south-west London and Shepperton in Surrey are unable to run due to flooding
  • Buses are replacing trains on Northern Rail services between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, with disruption expected to last up to a week
  • Island Line services on the Isle of Wight are suspended until further notice because of severe flooding in the Ryde area
  • A recent landslip caused by poor weather means buses are replacing Southern trains between Horsham and Dorking
  • Train operators are running planned timetables but some routes are being affected by problems caused by previous storms, National Rail says
  • Major roads in areas including North Ayrshire, Pembrokeshire, Merseyside, West Sussex, Kent, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Somerset and Devon are closed because of flooding


Around the UK:

  • A woman and her dog stranded on the Somerset Levels for 13 days have been rescued by boat
  • People are being urged to leave their homes in Aberystwyth as homeowners on the Welsh coast are warned of further flooding
  • Police have issued a flood warning for parts of Belfast and the Ards peninsula
  • Surfers are being warned not to take risks as waves of up to 30ft (10m) hit Devon and Cornwall


'Lethal' waves

BBC forecaster John Hammond said exposed places around southern and western coasts would see "colossal waves", adding: "These waves are going to be absolutely lethal if you get in the way of them."

The Met Office issued a warning of gusts of up to 70mph for Britain's west coast and the east coast of Northern Ireland on Monday.

It said a large, deep depression in the Atlantic had been "whipping waves up" out at sea and these were coming into western and southern coastal areas of the UK as a large swell.

"This, combined with waves driven by the winds in UK waters on Monday, will generate wave heights of 7-10m over parts of western Scotland, Wales and south-west England, and 3-7m in much of the English Channel and Irish Sea," it added.

"The public should be aware of the dangers of waves crashing onshore and over-topping shore lines and sea fronts."

As well as the severe flood warning for Iford Bridge Home Park, Dorset, about 100 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required - are in place in England and Wales.

More than 230 flood alerts - meaning "flooding is possible, be prepared" - are also in place.

Residents in Dorset and Oxfordshire, already inundated by high waters, were again urged by the Environment Agency to prepare for "significant flooding" on the Thames, Dorset Stour and Frome.

Flooding is also continuing on the Somerset Levels, and rivers in southern England, including the Severn, remain at "very high" risk of flooding.

The village of Muchelney, on the Somerset Levels, a coastal plain in central Somerset, has been cut off for about four days.

Residents David and Tracey Bradley said they were making daily trips in their canoe to fetch essential supplies.

Mrs Bradley said: "It's pretty desolate really, especially for the elderly and the children." She adds that it can also be "treacherous", and even wading through the flood water is "very dangerous".

In Scotland, 10 flood warnings are in place in Perth and Kinross while, elsewhere in Scotland, a further 15 flood alerts are in place.

Strong winds and high tides have caused serious flooding in County Down and sandbags have been distributed in a number of towns close to the county's coastline amid fears of further problems.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of winds for Northern Ireland.

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