South East travel disruption as wind and rain hits

Flooding was seen on the platform at Tunbridge Wells Station on Friday morning

Strong winds are expected to cause travel disruption across the south east on Friday, with passengers facing delays and cancellations.

As Storm Éowyn sweeps across parts of the UK, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for wind covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Forecasters warned delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport were likely, with coastal areas the most affected, with wind speeds of up to 50mph (80km/h).

Some areas could experience short term loss of power, they added.

In Sussex, there were cancellations to Southern services between Brighton and Southampton Central.

The B2203 at Maynards Green in East Sussex is partially blocked because of a fallen tree between Sicklehatch Lane and Vines Cross Road.

Southern said an emergency speed restriction of 50mph (80km/h) will be implemented across the East and West Coastway, as well as up to Preston Park, for the whole of Friday.

Some services that normally travel between Brighton and Southampton Central will terminate at Bognor Regis.

The A259 Kingsway seafront road was closed eastbound due to an unsafe building between Walsingham Road and Westbourne Villas.

Exposed higher and coastal areas are expected to get the worst weather

Flights to and from Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow and Edinburgh have been cancelled at Gatwick.

Ben Wassell, the founder of the Kent Extreme Weather Group told Radio Kent: "For us I think we can expect winds up to probably 40 to 50mph and they should be weakening throughout the morning."

Weather presenter Kate Kinsella told Radio Surrey: "We're probably getting away quite lightly in comparison to other areas, but it is still very strong wind.

"More exposed areas, the Downs for example, higher ground, could get a little stronger.

"It is fairly disruptive weather. The rain is fairly heavy this morning as well."

'Everyone is as prepared as they can be'

High winds knocked down a lamp post in Peacehaven, East Sussex

Andy Jeffery, Kent and Medway Resilience Forum's (KMRF) tactical lead and head of resilience and emergency planning, said: "There's always uncertainty with weather and, whilst we should avoid the worst of Storm Éowyn, we could still see wind speeds of around 60mph in some exposed areas."

He added that the county council and UK power networks were ready to deploy extra staff "to respond quickly to any issues".

"As we routinely do, the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum is taking guidance from the Met Office and working together to ensure everyone is prepared as they can be.

"Environment Agency teams have also been out clearing trash screens to help ensure rivers can flow and reduce any flood risk," he said.