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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/feb/23/storm-doris-brings-snow-gales-and-travel-disruption-live-updates
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| Storm Doris brings snow, gales and travel disruption – live updates | Storm Doris brings snow, gales and travel disruption – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 8.36am GMT | |
| 08:36 | |
| Nazia Parveen | |
| Yorkshire and north west England is bracing itself for extreme winds as an amber weather warning has been issued for the whole area including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull, writes Nazia Parveen. | |
| Highways England issued an alert for major roads in the area including the M1 and M62.Motorists were warned to expect widespread travel disruption, power cuts and flying debris. | |
| It said there was a particularly high risk for high-sided lorries, caravans and motorbikes and urged drivers to avoid travelling whilst its alert was in place between 6am and 6pm today. | |
| In Merseyside police issued a warning to avoid coastal routes and some train services were also disrupted. | |
| High winds of Storm Doris set to continue until 6:00pm. Drivers of high sided vehicles & motorcycles should avoid the coast road if possible | |
| Richard Leonard, Highways England’s Head of Road Safety, said: “We’re expecting Storm Doris to have a significant impact on the roads throughout the day so are urging drivers to consider changing their plans if necessary and to slow down in stormy weather.” | |
| Some trains in the area were also disrupted with Transpennine Express services between York and Newcastle cancelled from 10.45. | |
| Northern Rail said some of their services may be also be cancelled. | |
| A statement on their website reads: “Storm Doris is expected to bring severe weather across the North. “We will make every effort to run as many services as possible. However, some services may be cancelled and we expect journeys to take longer than usual due to speed restrictions on many lines. | |
| “To help minimise disruption, you can use your ticket to travel on any train operator’s services running on the same route. Please be prepared, give yourself extra time and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk “ | |
| A 8.40am British Airways flight from Leeds Bradford Airport to London Heathrow was also cancelled. | |
| A Leeds Bradford Airport spokeswoman said: “We are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and we ask that passengers look at our website but also contact their airlines if they have any other queries.” | |
| 8.30am GMT | |
| 08:30 | |
| The areas forecast for the worst of the storm include Stoke-on-Trent Central and Copeland where byelections are taking place. There are fears that the storm could hit turnout. | |
| The byelection in Stoke Central was caused by the resignation of Tristram Hunt. In 2015 he had the lowest electoral mandate of all the MPs in the Commons. | |
| Even before the storm was forecast there were fears that the Stoke byelection could beat the record low turnout of 18.2% recorded at the Manchester Central byelection in 2012. | |
| In Copeland collecting ballot boxes from some of the higher areas of the Cumbria constituency could be an additional problem if they get snowed in. | |
| Low turn out is likely to hit Labour in both constituencies, but the link between weather and turnout is a bit of myth, according to the New Statesman’s Stephanie Boland. But she adds: | |
| There is one caveat, however. “If you had a January snowstorm”, says John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde, “it would make a difference but for the most part the weather is mildly inclement at these times of year [when general elections are held]. So you might need to take a brolly with you or you might have sunshine but you won’t have a howling gale or snow or serious travel disruption.” | |
| That last point is important. While rain might not put people off voting, difficulties getting to the polling station can. So a truly chaotic storm could affect a result. | |
| 8.17am GMT | |
| 08:17 | |
| There has been no sign yet of the deep snow forecast for parts of Scotland and Northumberland, but some of the higher roads have already had dusting of snow. | |
| Snow falling on the A68 at Soutra at 6.50am this morning. Please take care if heading this way. pic.twitter.com/thXix0Iayb | |
| Snow ploughs and gritters have been out in force. | |
| Higher sections of the #A9,#A85,#A83,#A9 and #A889 have snow but the ploughs are out on all routes. #stormdoris | |
| We have 32 gritters and 7 tractors out on the Network at the moment patrolling and treating where required. Snow possible in all areas | |
| 8.04am GMT | 8.04am GMT |
| 08:04 | 08:04 |
| Warnings of violent storm force 11 winds have been issued in the western shipping areas of Rockall, Shannon and Irish Sea. This is just one notch down hurricane force 12 winds. | Warnings of violent storm force 11 winds have been issued in the western shipping areas of Rockall, Shannon and Irish Sea. This is just one notch down hurricane force 12 winds. |
| The phrase “cyclonic severe gale” cropped up a lot in the latest Shipping Forecast. | The phrase “cyclonic severe gale” cropped up a lot in the latest Shipping Forecast. |
| 7.57am GMT | 7.57am GMT |
| 07:57 | 07:57 |
| Speed restrictions have been imposed on the Tay Road and the Forth Road bridges in Scotland. | Speed restrictions have been imposed on the Tay Road and the Forth Road bridges in Scotland. |
| High Winds – Bridge Closed to Double Decker Buses, 30mph speed restriction in place. (06:57 23/02/2017) | High Winds – Bridge Closed to Double Decker Buses, 30mph speed restriction in place. (06:57 23/02/2017) |
| High winds – Speed restriction on bridge (05:19 GMT 23/02/2017) | High winds – Speed restriction on bridge (05:19 GMT 23/02/2017) |
| 7.50am GMT | 7.50am GMT |
| 07:50 | 07:50 |
| Welcome to live coverage on the impact of Storm Doris as it hurtles into the UK bringing snow, gusts of up to 87mph winds and widespread travel problems. | Welcome to live coverage on the impact of Storm Doris as it hurtles into the UK bringing snow, gusts of up to 87mph winds and widespread travel problems. |
| You have been warned ... the Met Office has issued two amber be prepared warnings - one for up to 30cm of snow in Scotland and parts of Northumberland, and one for winds of up to 80mph in Wales, the Midlands, Northern England and East Anglia. | You have been warned ... the Met Office has issued two amber be prepared warnings - one for up to 30cm of snow in Scotland and parts of Northumberland, and one for winds of up to 80mph in Wales, the Midlands, Northern England and East Anglia. |
| So far a gust of 87mph gust was recorded at Mace Head on the Galway coast, Ireland on the leading edge of the storm. And Aer Lingus cancelled 12 flights between the UK and the Republic of Ireland in anticipation of the winds. Heathrow airport is warning customers to check their flights before travelling. | So far a gust of 87mph gust was recorded at Mace Head on the Galway coast, Ireland on the leading edge of the storm. And Aer Lingus cancelled 12 flights between the UK and the Republic of Ireland in anticipation of the winds. Heathrow airport is warning customers to check their flights before travelling. |
| Network Rail warned of delays and cancellations after imposing speed restrictions for safety reasons. | Network Rail warned of delays and cancellations after imposing speed restrictions for safety reasons. |
| Limits of 50mph have set on some services run by Southeastern, Arriva Trains Wales, Chiltern Railways, Grand Central, TransPennine Express and Virgin Trains East Coast. | Limits of 50mph have set on some services run by Southeastern, Arriva Trains Wales, Chiltern Railways, Grand Central, TransPennine Express and Virgin Trains East Coast. |
| We will bring you all the latest on what is expected to be eventful ‘Doris Day’. | We will bring you all the latest on what is expected to be eventful ‘Doris Day’. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.52am GMT | at 7.52am GMT |