Storm Eunice leads to West Midlands train disruption

  • Published
Flood defencesImage source, Environment Agency
Image caption,

Flood defences have gone up in Bewdley and Shrewsbury

A train operator has warned of service disruption as it completes repairs in the aftermath of Storm Eunice.

West Midlands Railway reported major problems across its network and "heartily advised" people to check online before travelling.

Meanwhile, a flood warning is in place at the River Severn in Shrewsbury.

Flood defences have gone up in the town and in Bewdley, Worcestershire, with more rain forecast.

Three people died in the UK in Storm Eunice on Friday, as fierce winds toppled trees and sent debris flying during one of the worst storms to hit the UK in decades.

Image source, Environment Agency
Image caption,

Flood barriers have been put up to protect Ironbridge with more heavy rain expected

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for much of England, including the West Midlands, with periods of strong winds expected.

Rail operators have been checking lines and carrying out repairs. Services between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury were among those affected.

Andy McGill, from West Midlands Railway, said: "Clearly there is going to be some potential for knock-on delays. There are going to be repairs that will have to be made. We may see that some lines don't get to reopen until perhaps over the weekend at some point."

Image source, @SStaffsPolice
Image caption,

Staffordshire Police said two trees came down in Port Lane, Brewood

Image source, @SStaffsPolice
Image caption,

The trees were removed from Port Lane using farm vehicles

Avanti West Coast said its network had been disrupted by "multiple weather-related incidents" and it was working with Network Rail to restore services.

Residents in Shrewsbury have been warned flooding was expected, external to affect offices at the showground and Gravel Hill Lane.

River levels were expected to peak at Welshbridge between 3.4m (11ft 2 ins) to 3.7m (12ft) on Saturday evening.

Image source, WMFS
Image caption,

A 20ft (6m) wall collapsed on to industrial units in Blackheath during the storm

The Environment Agency said it was deploying flood barrier at Beales Corner, Ironbridge, and Severn Side "in anticipation of further water moving down the river system".

"Rain is forecast overnight tonight and into Sunday, this will fall on an already wet catchment area," an agency spokesperson said.

"We urge members of the public to stay safe and remain vigilant to the dangers this weather can cause."

Image caption,

A tree was brought down in Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa

Firefighters went to 14 incidents in the West Midlands and Staffordshire on Friday, including to the Shell Corner Trading Estate in Blackheath where a 20ft wall collapsed on to five units.

And fire crews in Brewood thanked farmers who moved two trees that came down in Port Lane, including one which fell on a car whose occupants luckily escaped serious injury, the service said.

Around the BBC