Storm Barra causes North West road closures and rail delays

A flood alert has been issued for New Brighton

Strong winds and heavy rain from Storm Barra have caused road closures and rail delays across the North West.

A stretch of the M57 in Merseyside has now reopened after it was closed to fix an overhead sign that was damaged by winds, National Highways said.

Flooding has blocked the railway between Skipton and Lancaster and between Newton-Le-Willows and Eccles, rail operator Northern said.

Mersey Ferries said it had temporarily suspended services.

The Met Office has issued a flood alert for New Brighton in the Wirral, where waves from the Irish Sea have been crashing into the flood barriers.

People were advised to stay away from beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads in the area.

Trees have fallen in Merseyside, making roads unsafe

In Lancashire, Wyre Council has closed the storm boards - which help control the flow of water - along the Cleveleys coast until Thursday at the earliest due to the powerful winds.

Traffic was also backed up for about four miles on the M61 southbound between junction eight for Chorley and six for Horwich after a multi-vehicle collision, which spilled diesel across the carriageway.

One lane remains closed and hour-long delays are expected.

Fallen trees have blocked roads and put car parks out of action in Formby, the National Trust tweeted.

Flood alerts remain in place across the UK for Storm Barra, which moved in from the west on Tuesday.

Met Office forecasters said the storm was not expected to cause as much chaos as Storm Arwen.

A yellow weather warning for wind is in place from midnight until 18:00 GMT on Wednesday for the west coast of Wales and south-west England.