London weather warning storm disrupts rail and road travel
A yellow wind warning covered parts of London as Storm Austen brought heavy rain and gusts expected to exceed 40mph. Fallen trees disrupted rail services…
A yellow wind alert put London travel at risk as Storm Austen crossed the UK, with heavy rain and gusts expected to exceed 40mph in the capital on Friday afternoon. Fallen trees had already disrupted rail lines serving London, while services to Gatwick Airport faced cancellations and delays.
The Met Office warning covered London and a large swathe of southern, central and eastern England. It began at 10am and was due to remain in force until 9pm, according to the London Evening Standard.
Residents were urged to secure loose items on balconies and in gardens. Debris carried by the wind could fall onto pavements and roads, the London Fire Brigade said.
Travel disruption was already being reported. Trees blocked the Hampton Court to Waterloo route and a line between Clandon and Effingham in Surrey. Southern Railway also reported obstructions between Haywards Heath and Three Bridges, Lewes and Brighton, Uckfield and Crowborough, and Fareham and Southampton Central.
For commuters, the immediate risk was not limited to slower journeys. Fallen branches could block roads and tracks, while strong winds and heavy rain could complicate travel through the evening. The London Ambulance Service advised people to take extra care and allow more time for journeys.
Storm Austen brings stronger winds elsewhere
The South West bore the storm’s strongest winds, with gusts of up to 80mph reported. An amber warning described as a “danger to life” covered Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly from 1am until 10am.
Thousands of homes in Cornwall, Devon and Wales were hit by power cuts. Some schools in Cornwall, Jersey and Guernsey closed, while rail services were disrupted in northern England, including routes from York to Leeds and Blackpool.
Weather forecaster Simon King, speaking from Newquay on Radio 4’s Today programme, said: “We woke up to the full force of Storm Austen.” He said gusts of 70, 80mph had already been recorded in parts of the South West and warned of possible fallen trees, power cuts and travel disruption.
The Met Office said flying debris was likely and that the storm could damage buildings, including by blowing tiles from roofs. Large waves could also create danger in coastal areas, with beach debris at risk of reaching roads, sea fronts and properties. Mobile phone coverage and power supplies could be affected, it said.
Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said the storm was the first stormy weather in the south of the UK this season. “With trees in leaf, it is likely fallen branches and trees could obstruct roads and railways so take extra care on the Friday morning commute,” he said.
Network Rail Scotland said trains were being slowed on Friday and over the weekend to protect passengers in areas expected to see the heaviest rain. A separate system, Storm Boelo, was expected to affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend with what the Met Office called “impactful winds”.
In London, the yellow warning was set to run until 9pm.
Source: standard.co.uk
