Hundreds of flights cancelled as storm Ciara batters UK
High winds disrupt travel as 500,000 homes lose power and Met Office warns of risk to life
Hundreds of flights were cancelled, rail services pared back and the Met Office issued countrywide warnings of danger to life from flying debris as storm Ciara battered the UK on Sunday.
Half a million homes lost power and more than 190 flood warnings and 170 flood alerts were issued.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Heathrow, with the UK’s busiest airport warning that some services on Monday would also be cancelled as a result. A spokesperson declined to give figures.
At Gatwick, 190 flights were cancelled, almost half of the day’s outbound total, with possible knock-on cancellations expected on Monday.
“We are experiencing very high winds today and this is causing some delays and cancellations to flights,” a spokesman added. “Passengers are advised to allow plenty of time to get to the airport and to check the status of their flight with their airline.”
Some of the cancellations at both airports were pre-emptive, an attempt by the airlines to reduce the knock-on impact of short-term cancellations, which leave aircraft in the wrong locations.
Rail operators reduced services and trains ran more slowly, with Network Rail, which manages the infrastructure, warning that disruption may last into Monday.
“High wind levels can make it unsafe for engineers to work at height, or with certain machinery, meaning any repairs might not be completed in time for Monday morning’s services,” a spokesman said.
Nick King, network services director at Network Rail, said: “We are working closely with our train operator partners to ensure passengers and freight are moved as safely and reliably as possible over the weekend and into Monday morning. But with such strong winds expected across large parts of the country, there will inevitably be some reduced services and speed restrictions in place.”
London North Eastern Railway, which runs the line between Edinburgh and London, has cancelled half of its services and advised passengers not to travel on Sunday. It is offering full refunds.
Dozens of properties were flooded across Lancashire and Yorkshire while hundreds of residents in the towns of Blackpool, Bury and Ramsbottom were evacuated.
Winds of up to 80mph hit higher and coastal areas, with gusts of up to 60mph inland. Heavy rainfall caused localised flooding, the Met Office said.
It earlier issued “amber warnings” for wind across most of England, including awarning that “flying debris could lead to injuries or danger to life”.
Manchester City’s Premier League football match against West Ham on Sunday afternoon was among the sporting fixtures cancelled “in the interests of supporter and staff safety”, the host club said.