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Storm Barbara begins battering UK on busiest day of Christmas travel Storm Barbara causes power cuts on busiest day for Christmas travel
(about 1 hour later)
Millions of travellers face a festive getaway headache as Storm Barbara begins to batter parts of the UK with gusts up to 120mph on what was expected to be the busiest day of Christmas travel. More than 10,000 houses have been left without power as millions took to the roads amid storm weather and rail engineering works in an effort to make it home for the Christmas weekend.
The storm was already causing power cuts and travel misery, with winds of 60mph to 70mph expected across the west and north-west of Scotland. Gusts up to 120mph were recorded on the summit of Cairn Gorm. Properties in Aberdeenshire, Moray and on the Western Isles lost power, with engineers working to reconnect supply. Storm Barbara caused power cuts and travel misery, with winds of 60mph to 70mph expected across the west and north-west of Scotland. Gusts up to 120mph were recorded on the summit of Cairn Gorm. Properties in Aberdeenshire, Moray and on the Western Isles lost power.
The worst of the conditions were forecast to be in the far north of the country and the Western and Northern Isles, but disruption to power supplies and travel was expected to be felt across the UK. A spokesperson from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) confirmed a power cut on Lewis and parts of Harris had affected 13,000 properties. Power was restored by mid afternoon, she added.
At midday on Friday, gusts of 74mph were recorded on South Uist, 67mph on Stornoway and 53mph in while Edinburgh. The worst of the storm conditions were forecast to be in the far north of the country and the Western and Northern Isles, but disruption to power supplies and travel was expected to be felt across the UK.
Scotland’s transport minister, Humza Yousaf, said: “Ministers have been receiving regular updates on the impact of the severe weather across this week … Our transport operators and trunk road operating companies are working hard to keep services and roads running, safety has to be our top priority, so we are seeing delays and cancellations to flights and ferries. The Met Office also issued yellow warnings of snow and ice for parts of Scotland and flood alerts are in place for the Highlands and Western Isles, as well as Skye and the Scottish Borders.
“We would urge everyone to check the latest sources of information before they travel and keep in mind that the situation can change quickly.” The AA warned motorists to be “very savvy” when driving in a “nasty cocktail of potential road disruption” and Cumbria police warned of high winds and rain, urging people to drive slowly and only if necessary.
More travelling misery in the north is expected on Boxing Day, with a further amber alert for Storm Conor now being issued for the far north of the country.More travelling misery in the north is expected on Boxing Day, with a further amber alert for Storm Conor now being issued for the far north of the country.
Amber “be prepared” wind warnings are in place for northern and western parts of Scotland for Friday afternoon, evening and overnight into Christmas Eve. Amber “be prepared” wind warnings are also in place for northern and western parts of Scotland for Friday afternoon, evening and overnight into Christmas Eve. The Met Office warned about potential structural damage - more likely across the northwest of the warning area - as well as disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries.
Gusts of 60-70mph are expected in the north of the UK, while in the south a narrow but intense band of heavy rain and gusty winds could lead to disruption.
Flood alerts are in place for the Highlands and Western Isles, as well as Skye and the Scottish Borders.
Brent Walker, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Storm Barbara is crossing the Atlantic and will pass close to the north-west of the UK during Friday, bringing the potential for some disruption to power supplies and travel, and possibly structural damage.”Brent Walker, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Storm Barbara is crossing the Atlantic and will pass close to the north-west of the UK during Friday, bringing the potential for some disruption to power supplies and travel, and possibly structural damage.”
People in Scotland, England and Wales can call free on 105 if the weather damages their local power network and affects electricity supply.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents hundreds of councils in England and Wales, said it was issuing renewed advice on how to deal with flash floods and had stockpiled more than a million tonnes of salt to grit roads.The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents hundreds of councils in England and Wales, said it was issuing renewed advice on how to deal with flash floods and had stockpiled more than a million tonnes of salt to grit roads.
Rail disruption is expected to cause more trouble for holidaymakers, with a number of lines closed for an extended period as Network Rail carries out up to 200 improvement projects costing £103m. Rail disruption is also expected to cause more trouble for holidaymakers, with a number of lines closed for an extended period as Network Rail carries out up to 200 improvement projects costing £103m.
The company defended the scheduling. Network Rail’s chief executive, Mark Carne, told BBC Breakfast: “The reality is this is the best time of the year for us to do this sort of huge engineering project because the numbers of people travelling by train is about half of what it is on a normal weekend or a normal day.”The company defended the scheduling. Network Rail’s chief executive, Mark Carne, told BBC Breakfast: “The reality is this is the best time of the year for us to do this sort of huge engineering project because the numbers of people travelling by train is about half of what it is on a normal weekend or a normal day.”
No trains will operate to or from London Paddington between Saturday and Thursday because of work to build Crossrail. As a result, Heathrow Express services will be suspended for six days and Great Western Railway trains will terminate at Ealing Broadway. No trains will operate to or from London Paddington between Christmas Eve and Thursday because of work to build Crossrail. As a result, Heathrow Express services will be suspended for six days and Great Western Railway trains will terminate at Ealing Broadway.
ScotRail said there would be speed restrictions and a small number of service withdrawals on Friday because of the severe weather forecast.ScotRail said there would be speed restrictions and a small number of service withdrawals on Friday because of the severe weather forecast.
Southern rail has warned passengers to expect a severely reduced and disrupted service between 31 December and 2 January owing to a strike by conductors. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has confirmed the three-day action will go ahead.Southern rail has warned passengers to expect a severely reduced and disrupted service between 31 December and 2 January owing to a strike by conductors. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has confirmed the three-day action will go ahead.
Engineering work will also affect passengers travelling in Manchester and Cardiff.Engineering work will also affect passengers travelling in Manchester and Cardiff.
The annual festive shutdown means no trains will run on Christmas Day and only limited services on Boxing Day. That could push more travellers on to the roads. The AA predicts about 12m cars will be on the roads on Friday. . The annual festive shutdown means no trains will run on Christmas Day and only limited services on Boxing Day. That could push more travellers on to the roads. The AA prediced up to 12m cars would be on the roads on Friday. .
The AA’s John Snowling said: “It’s likely to be very busy at peak times on the major routes as the Christmas getaway coincides with commuter traffic. With Christmas falling on a weekend, many people will start their break from Friday, but almost a third of our members will be making their journey on Saturday and more than a fifth will be travelling on Christmas Day to visit friends and family.”The AA’s John Snowling said: “It’s likely to be very busy at peak times on the major routes as the Christmas getaway coincides with commuter traffic. With Christmas falling on a weekend, many people will start their break from Friday, but almost a third of our members will be making their journey on Saturday and more than a fifth will be travelling on Christmas Day to visit friends and family.”
Highways England said 448 miles of roadworks on motorways and major roads had been suspended or completed, leaving 98% of roads free of works until 3 January.Highways England said 448 miles of roadworks on motorways and major roads had been suspended or completed, leaving 98% of roads free of works until 3 January.
The roadside rescue firm Green Flag estimated that almost 500,000 people would break down between 15 December and 15 January – equivalent to one every 11 minutes.The roadside rescue firm Green Flag estimated that almost 500,000 people would break down between 15 December and 15 January – equivalent to one every 11 minutes.
The coach operator National Express reported last month that its bookings for Christmas Day were up by more than a third compared with last year, and demand for seats on Boxing Day had risen by almost a fifth. It is running its biggest Christmas service, with 50% more coaches on the roads on 25 December than last year.The coach operator National Express reported last month that its bookings for Christmas Day were up by more than a third compared with last year, and demand for seats on Boxing Day had risen by almost a fifth. It is running its biggest Christmas service, with 50% more coaches on the roads on 25 December than last year.
The travel association Abta said Friday was expected to be the busiest day for airports as people jet off to spend Christmas overseas. More than 4.5 million people will head abroad from the UK between 18 December and 2 January.The travel association Abta said Friday was expected to be the busiest day for airports as people jet off to spend Christmas overseas. More than 4.5 million people will head abroad from the UK between 18 December and 2 January.
Heathrow said the most popular day for flights in the week leading up to Christmas would be Friday, with more than 118,000 departing passengers.Heathrow said the most popular day for flights in the week leading up to Christmas would be Friday, with more than 118,000 departing passengers.
Planned strikes by British Airways cabin crew on Christmas Day and Boxing Day have been suspended, the Unite union confirmed.
Members of the Unite union were to walk out in a row over pay and conditions. But after talks at conciliation service Acas, a revised offer will be put to a ballot of union members.
Unite’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, said: “It will be for our members now to decide if British Airways has done enough to meet their concerns.”