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Rush hour travel disruption warning as storm batters UK Rush hour travel disruption warning as storm batters UK
(35 minutes later)
Rail services across much of southern Britain have been cancelled for the morning rush hour as a storm continues to batter parts of England and Wales.Rail services across much of southern Britain have been cancelled for the morning rush hour as a storm continues to batter parts of England and Wales.
Motorists planning to travel between South Wales and England have been warned the Severn crossings, the M4 and M48 will be closed in both directions.Motorists planning to travel between South Wales and England have been warned the Severn crossings, the M4 and M48 will be closed in both directions.
Air travel is also disrupted with 60 flight cancellations at Heathrow.Air travel is also disrupted with 60 flight cancellations at Heathrow.
The Met Office said a gust of 92mph (148km/h) was recorded at Needles Old Battery, Isle of Wight, at 01:00 GMT.The Met Office said a gust of 92mph (148km/h) was recorded at Needles Old Battery, Isle of Wight, at 01:00 GMT.
Meanwhile the Environment Agency has issued 10 flood warnings - all in south west England - and 145 flood alerts across England and Wales. Meanwhile the Environment Agency has issued 12 flood warnings - all in south west England - and 146 flood alerts across England and Wales.
Robin Gisby, network operations managing director for Network Rail, said commuters should expect considerable disruption on Monday morning.Robin Gisby, network operations managing director for Network Rail, said commuters should expect considerable disruption on Monday morning.
"This will impact up to Birmingham and up to Nottingham and the Midlands. If we get through this in the morning, restore the service during the afternoon and are able to start up a good service on Tuesday morning, in the circumstances I'll be pretty pleased," he said."This will impact up to Birmingham and up to Nottingham and the Midlands. If we get through this in the morning, restore the service during the afternoon and are able to start up a good service on Tuesday morning, in the circumstances I'll be pretty pleased," he said.
The Highways Agency in England, Traffic Wales, Gwent Police and Avon and Somerset Police said the decision to close the second Severn Crossing, the M4, at 03:00 GMT had been taken because very high winds were expected to peak at 04:00 GMT.The Highways Agency in England, Traffic Wales, Gwent Police and Avon and Somerset Police said the decision to close the second Severn Crossing, the M4, at 03:00 GMT had been taken because very high winds were expected to peak at 04:00 GMT.
The decision will be kept under review so the M4 crossing is reopened as soon as it is safe, they said. The M48 suspension bridge has been closed since Sunday evening.The decision will be kept under review so the M4 crossing is reopened as soon as it is safe, they said. The M48 suspension bridge has been closed since Sunday evening.
Travel warnings include:Travel warnings include:
In other developments:In other developments:
Forecasters said exposed coasts in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent could face the strongest winds.Forecasters said exposed coasts in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent could face the strongest winds.
Ships over the English Channel have reported gusts in excess of 80mph, with one in the Dover Straits nearer 90mph.Ships over the English Channel have reported gusts in excess of 80mph, with one in the Dover Straits nearer 90mph.
BBC Weather presenter Jay Wynne said gusts along the south coast were already in the region of 50-60mph and there was some heavy rain spreading up through the south west and southern counties of England and the south of Wales.BBC Weather presenter Jay Wynne said gusts along the south coast were already in the region of 50-60mph and there was some heavy rain spreading up through the south west and southern counties of England and the south of Wales.
The strongest winds are expected in the early hours of Monday as the storm tracks its way across the southern part of the UK but should have moved across the country to the North Sea by lunchtime.The strongest winds are expected in the early hours of Monday as the storm tracks its way across the southern part of the UK but should have moved across the country to the North Sea by lunchtime.
The Metropolitan Police is urging people to use its 101 number during the storm rather than 999, unless there is a "genuine" emergency.The Metropolitan Police is urging people to use its 101 number during the storm rather than 999, unless there is a "genuine" emergency.
Wind speeds of 115 mph were recorded during the so-called Great Storm of October 1987.Wind speeds of 115 mph were recorded during the so-called Great Storm of October 1987.
There is more information about the forecasts for Sunday and Monday on the BBC Weather, Met Office and Environment Agency websites. See BBC Travel News for up to date travel information and the Highways Agency and Traffic Wales websites for details about road conditions. BBC Local has information from your area.There is more information about the forecasts for Sunday and Monday on the BBC Weather, Met Office and Environment Agency websites. See BBC Travel News for up to date travel information and the Highways Agency and Traffic Wales websites for details about road conditions. BBC Local has information from your area.
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