Thousands of people across the UK have experienced major transport disruptions due to strong winds and strike action. Rail, road, port, and air travel were all affected by the storm, known as Storm Pia. All lines to and from London Euston were blocked at one point, and Eurostar and Eurotunnel services were cancelled after a last-minute walkout in France. Power outages were also reported in some regions, and heavy rain and gusts of wind exceeding 115mph battered the country. Lorries were overturned, trees smashed into houses, and power line damage hit rail services across the country.
The transport disruption caused queues and delays, with hundreds of people stuck at Euston Station and hundreds of rail services being cancelled, delayed, or disrupted. Many travelers were left stranded and seeking other routes. Eurostar and LeShuttle services were suspended due to a strike by Eurotunnel workers, and as a result, there was a delay of 90 minutes for passengers ahead of French border control. Even the airports were affected, with Manchester, Heathrow, Glasgow, and Leeds-Bradford all seeing some flights delayed or cancelled.
The RAC estimates 21 million drivers will make a trip before Christmas Eve – 20% busier than last year – meaning probable delays on the roads. Many areas of the UK experienced gusts of up to 60mph, along with heavy rain. The weather will remain blustery with spells of rain in the run-up to Christmas, according to meteorologists, although the strongest winds will ease by Friday.
Storm Pia hit as many tried to beat the Christmas rush that begins Friday and Saturday when the roads are expected to be extremely busy. Millions of people are booked on flights to spend Christmas overseas, and Heathrow alone expects 6.5 million passengers to travel through its terminals this month. Friday will be the busiest day for departures
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More