Trains disrupted, hundreds of flood warnings after Storm Henk lashes UK

More than 300 flood warnings were also in place across England and Wales

Transport delays will continue today as train services get back on track after rain and strong winds from Storm Henk lashed large parts of the UK.

More than 300 flood warnings were also in place across England and Wales, while 10,000 homes remained without power.

The UK’s rail network was hit by flooding and power cuts on Tuesday afternoon, with many operators reporting ongoing issues for the morning commute.

Great Western Railway said flooding due to Storm Henk has blocked several parts of its network.

Flooding near Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire means all lines are closed between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.

Services between London Paddington and South Wales are being diverted, adding around 40 minutes to journey times.

Flooding also means the route between Liskeard and Looe is blocked, and some lines are closed between Totnes and Plymouth.

Greater Anglia said it was still experiencing “severe disruption”, with “do not travel” warnings in place on routes in Norwich, Colchester, Peterborough and Cambridge, while South Western Railway said disruption linked to the storm was likely continue throughout the day.

Great Northern Rail said services would be delayed from Cambridge to Ely and Kings Lynn until 10am on Wednesday as they work to repair damaged overhead wires and remove a damaged train.

Southern Rail also said delays were expected with repairs ongoing between Uckfield, Buxted and Crowborough, while Great Western Railway said issues were likely until the end of the day due to heavy flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.

National Highways said several major roads in England are closed.

They include the A21 in East Sussex between the A2100 (near Johns Cross) and the A28 (near Baldslow) because a fallen tree is resting on power cables above the road.

Flooding has closed the A52 in Nottinghamshire westbound from the A60 (Nottingham Knight roundabout) to the A606 (Edwalton), and the A1 in Lincolnshire northbound from the A52 (Grantham) to the B6326 (near Newark).

National Highways said: “With more rain expected in many areas throughout the day, it is anticipated that the roads will remain closed for several hours.”

A severe flood alert, meaning danger to life, was in place for the River Nene in Northampton, which warned of deep and fast-flowing water at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park and nearby business parks.

A total of 330 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, were also in place across England.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had received 140 flood-related calls in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police said a large number of homes were being affected by flooding in Loughborough, with police closing Belton Road from the junction of Jubilee Drive to Meadow Lane and A426 Lutterworth Road from Little Glen Road To Leicester Road Roundabout in Blaby.

In Wales there was one severe flood warning in place for the River Ritec in Tenby, 11 flood warnings and 38 flood alerts, according to Natural Resources Wales.

The Energy Networks Association – which collates data from all energy providers – estimated that 10,000 customers were without power on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday, a woman was injured by a falling tree in Orpington as high winds hit.

The Metropolitan Police were called at 3.14pm to reports that a woman had been struck by a tree in Station Approach. Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

The strongest gales were recorded at the Needles Old Battery in the Isle of Wight, where wind speeds reached 94mph.

Gusts of 81mph were reached at Exeter Airport in Devon, and top winds hit 71mph at the Isle of Portland in Dorset and also at Mumbles Head in Glamorgan.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to The Ford in Kenilworth to rescue a motorist who got stuck trying to drive through flood water.

In Greenwich, south-east London, a large panel of scaffolding fell from either side of a building on Creek Road due to the heavy winds.

Marketing manager Josh Hargreaves, 30, told the PA news agency that he and his boyfriend had watched the scaffolding “pretty much swaying in the wind” before falling from the front of the building at around 3.40pm.

Then, an hour later, scaffolding fell from the back of the building as well.

Published: 03/01/2024 by Radio NewsHub