Britain takes a battering as 80mph gales spread chaos

Published on Monday 10 March 2008 13:03

WINDS of more than 80mph ripped through Britain today with coastal areas taking the brunt of the gales.

The severe gales brought down trees in Wales and south-west England and left 10,000 homes without electricity.

There were seven severe flood warnings this morning on the south-west coast, where it was feared water could spill over sea walls when high tides peaked around midday.

Scotland escaped the worst of the weather, but was hit by high winds and snowstorms today.

Heavy rain was forecast for the Capital and the city's airport had to cancel more than 20 flights.

Passengers were advised to check with their airline before setting off after 22 flights to and from London were cancelled. British Airways, BMI, Air France and easyJet were affected.

Strong winds were expected across Scotland throughout the day.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for parts of Scotland, with blizzards, drifting and heavy snow predicted in central and northern areas.

Drivers have been urged to pay more attention to high wind warnings on the Forth Road Bridge.

FETA convener Councillor Tony Martin urged motorists to be more cautious when travelling across the Firth. He said drivers were risking their own and fellow motorists' safety by ignoring speed limits.

He said: "In recent weeks we have seen a large increase in the number of wind-susceptible vehicles ignoring warning signs and trying to cross the bridge during strong winds.

"These drivers are risking their own safety and that of other road users, and this causes severe delays as the police have to stop traffic and turn these vehicles around.

"FETA employees do not have the power to stop traffic on the approaches to the bridge, so we rely on the police for help.

"Strong wind restrictions are displayed on the approaches to the bridge.

These restrictions are necessary for safety and to minimise traffic disruption caused by vehicles overturning on the bridge."

The port of Dover was closed today, with P&O Ferries unable to operate any of its Dover-Calais sailings. Some ferry services in Scotland were also disrupted due to the weather conditions.

Caledonian MacBrayne said that ferry services between Colintraive and Rhubodach and connections between the mainland and the islands of Arran and Islay were hit by disruption.

Snow caused problems at the bottom end of the M74 in South Lanarkshire, where a lorry jacknifed at the Beattock Summit.

In central Scotland two tankers got stuck in snow on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Lixtoll, but managed to free themselves.

Dumfries and Galloway Police said that the high winds had brought down a number of trees on minor roads.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for Strathclyde, Grampian, the Highlands, Central and Tayside, warning of snowy conditions.

There was snow on higher ground, over the Southern Uplands, in the Highlands and in Grampian.

Forecasters said that winds are expected to ease during the course of the day, with snow turning to rain.

But they warned that stormy conditions are likely to return on Wednesday, with high winds again battering Scotland.