Storm Bram chaos as flights cancelled and roads closed with new flood warnings
The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings for wind in the UK as Storm Bram continues to cause disruption, with several roads closed and flights cancelled
Several weather warnings remain active today (December 10) as large parts of the UK continue to battle the aftermath of Storm Bram. Three yellow weather warnings for wind are in force until Wednesday evening across the Shetland Islands, Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, and further south in Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The Met Office warned that affected regions could experience “very strong winds and disruption”, with risks of flying debris, structural damage, power cuts and transport delays or cancellations.
An amber warning for wind in north-west Scotland lapsed at 3am. The forecaster advised commuters and travellers to verify bus and train schedules, check road conditions before driving, and adjust plans where needed.
A National Grid map revealed power outages hitting parts of west Wales, south-west England and the Midlands. By 5am on Wednesday, there were 30 flood warnings and 138 flood alerts across England, 11 flood warnings and 29 flood alerts in Wales, and 20 flood warnings and 15 flood alerts in Scotland.
The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge in Gloucestershire was shut overnight for emergency repairs to remove 35 defective lighting columns at risk of toppling.
Meanwhile, the A66 in County Durham/Cumbria was closed in both directions to high-sided vehicles between the A1M (Scotch Corner) and the M6 (Penrith) due to fierce winds, along with the A19 Tees Flyover between the A66 and the A1046.
Police Scotland said that the M74 has re-opened northbound between junctions 11 and 13 after a number of overturned vehicles were recovered. However, it remains closed southbound while other vehicles are recovered and a diversion has been put in place.
Police said that no-one has been injured.
Network Rail Scotland has announced that routes closed by Storm Bram, including Fort William to Mallaig, and Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh, require inspection for damage and debris at first light before they can be reopened.
Delays are also expected on the Glasgow Central to Neilston services. ScotRail confirmed that the majority of services are operating as usual on Wednesday morning following the storm.
However, speed restrictions will remain in effect on the West Highland Line, Highland Main Line, Aberdeen-Inverness, and Far North Line until 9am.
Some Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services on Scotland’s west coast are experiencing disruption due to the weather conditions.
On Tuesday, Dublin Airport cancelled 91 flights, with approximately 10 more flights diverted to other airports.
There was flooding and a multi-vehicle crash on part of the M66 in Greater Manchester, which was closed southbound while crews cleared the water. In York, streets adjacent to the Ouse river flooded due to heavy rainfall.
Despite the hazardous weather, the Met Office reported that Carlisle in Cumbria reached 16.8C on Tuesday, setting a new record for December 9.
Elsewhere, much of England and Wales can expect a bright and blustery day on Wednesday, with a few showers.
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