Events cancelled across east due to Storm Darragh

A person is walking dressed in black across a wet street with puddles and brown and orange leaves. They are carrying a blue umbrellaImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

National Rail is asking for people to check their journey before travelling with some routes being cancelled

  • Published

Strong winds from Storm Darragh affecting the East of England have resulted in a series of events being cancelled.

The Met Office issued a yellow wind warning, external covering the United Kingdom from 15:00 GMT on Friday to 06:00 on Sunday.

The southbound QEII Bridge at the Dartford Crossing in Essex into Kent was closed due to strong winds and later reopened in the afternoon, although National Highways warned drivers to expect long delays in both directions.

National Rail is also asking customers, external to check their journeys before travelling. CrossCountry's Cambridge and Stansted Airport services have been cancelled.

The government has put a flood warning in place for the River Nene in Cambridgeshire at North Bank Road, east of Peterborough.

It said while the warning was in force, the road would remain closed.

Also in Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire District Council has activated its severe weather emergency protocol, external to support people sleeping rough during the storm during the weekend.

Some events across the east have been postponed or cancelled due to safety concerns.

Organisers of the Frinton Christmas Festival have cancelled Saturday's event following safety advice from Tendring District Council.

Elsewhere in the region, Fenland District Council has cancelled the Wisbech Christmas Fayre which was due to be happening on Sunday.

Taking to social media, external it said: "The Met Office is currently forecasting gusts of 53mph throughout the day.

"The temporary structures such as gazebos will not withstand winds of this force."

Further north, Colchester United's League Two match at Notts County was postponed due to damage to one of the scoreboards at Meadow Lane.

In Norfolk, the Sandringham Estate has cancelled its Luminate Winter Trail, external on Saturday evening.

It said on Facebook customers could transfer tickets to another date and time and asked for patience as it worked through inquiries.

Get in touch

Do you have a story suggestion for the East of England?

Media caption,

Listen: A yellow warning has been issued by the Met Office for strong winds this weekend in Essex.

Related topics