Storm Causes Major Headache For Commuters

Hurricane-strength winds have brought travel chaos to large parts of the UK.

Hundreds of rail services were cancelled as more than 200 trees fell on lines in the South and South East.

Parts of the network were so badly damaged that several operators, including East Coast Trains, Virgin Trains and East Midlands Trains, urged customers heading to or from London not to travel.

Passengers at London Waterloo were going nowhere fast

Greater Anglia was forced to suspected services across its entire network because of damage to overhead wires and fallen trees.

Asked whether train companies had overreacted to the risk posed by the storm, Prime Minister David Cameron said:  "Everyone has to act on the basis of the evidence that they are given.

"Afterwards we'll be able to look back and see whether people made the right decisions.

A tree on the tracks at Keymer, West Sussex. Pic: Network Rail/Twitter

"But right now what matters is listening to the evidence, working together and getting things back to normal."

The strong winds and heavy rain also caused disruption on the roads, with a number of major routes affected.

Both Severn estuary crossings were closed, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent.

The clean up begins in London. Pic: madebymartha/madebymartha/Twitter

A lorry overturned on the M11 in Essex, the A2 was shut in west Kent because of the number of fallen trees and flooding affected parts of the M6 in Merseyside.

Countless local roads were also closed, as emergency services and council crews worked to remove trees and other debris.

Meanwhile, rough seas caused the Port of Dover to suspend ferry crossings temporarily, while Brittany Ferries cancelled services between Plymouth and Roscoff, Poole and Cherbourg and Portsmouth and Bilbao.

More than 130 flights were cancelled from Heathrow airport, although Gatwick said it was operating a "near normal service".

Among the transport operators affected by the storm are:

Trains

:: Southern Railway is reporting a number of large trees blocking lines on its network. The Brighton mainline has been cleared of trees and Gatwick Express services have resumed.

:: South West Trains said a "significantly reduced timetable" would operate for the remainder of the day while dozens of trees are removed. Its trains can run at a maximum speed of 50mph.

:: Southeastern Railway is running a high speed service between Ashford and St Pancras International but warned passengers the service would be "very busy". Its metro and mainline routes are suspended because of the number of branches and trees on the line.

:: East Coast Trains said customers are advised not to travel today. It has no trains running in or out of London King's Cross and "no firm indication" about when services will be resumed.

:: East Midlands Trains advised customers travelling to or from London not to attempt their journeys. It has suspended services between Bedford and London St Pancras for the rest of the day because of fallen trees. Services are also suspended between Ely and Norwich.

:: Virgin Trains has urged customers not to travel "unless absolutely necessary" on services to and from London using the West Coast Main Line. Services to and from London Euston are suspended.

:: Greater Anglia Trains services are suspended until further notice, with customers advised not to travel for the rest of the day.

:: First Capital Connect advised passengers not to travel. Many of its services are suspended or severely disrupted.

:: London Overground services have been part suspended, although trains are running between Highbury and Islington and New Cross/New Cross Gate.

:: C2C trains said all services are suspended between Shoeburyness and London Fenchurch Street.

:: Eurostar cross-channel services are running, although speed restrictions are in place.

Planes

:: Heathrow airport cancelled about 130 flights, with passengers advised to contact their airline before travelling.

:: Gatwick said it was operating a "near normal service", while Stansted, Luton and Bristol airports have not yet announced any cancellations.

Ferries

:: Brittany Ferries has announced cancellations between Plymouth and Roscoff, Poole and Cherbourg and Portsmouth and Bilbao.

:: The Port of Dover has reopened after a temporary closure, although passengers are urged to contact their ferry operator before travelling.

:: Ferries have been cancelled between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.

Roads

:: The Highways Agency has issued a severe weather alert for high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and other vulnerable vehicles.

:: Both crossings over the Severn estuary were closed but have since reopened.

:: Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, the southbound Dartford Crossing, is closed with traffic diverted through the tunnel.

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