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Travel disrupted as storms hit UK Travel disrupted as storms hit UK
(10 minutes later)
Gales and heavy downpours have affected travel across the UK.Gales and heavy downpours have affected travel across the UK.
Storms have hit much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland while Scotland has seen its first major snowfalls of 2007 with delays on the A9 in the Highlands. Scotland has seen its first major snowfalls of 2007, while blown over lorries caused the M1 to close between junctions 29 and 30 in South Yorkshire.
The managing director of Birmingham Airport, Richard Heard, died after a branch fell on his car in Shropshire.The managing director of Birmingham Airport, Richard Heard, died after a branch fell on his car in Shropshire.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning, warning of gusts of up to 70mph, and Network Rail has brought in speed restrictions on some lines.The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning, warning of gusts of up to 70mph, and Network Rail has brought in speed restrictions on some lines.
Lorries which have blown over have caused the M1 to be closed in both directions between junctions 29 and 30, Chesterfield and South Sheffield. The M18 has been closed between junctions 4 and 7 northbound and junctions 6 and 7 southbound.
The accident which killed Mr Heard happened on the B4373 Bridgnorth to Broseley road. The accident which killed Mr Heard, 49, happened on the B4373 Bridgnorth to Broseley road.
A second car heading in the opposite direction also collided with part of the branch but its driver was uninjured, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.A second car heading in the opposite direction also collided with part of the branch but its driver was uninjured, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
A man was taken to hospital after Bar Vin's roof collapsedA man was taken to hospital after Bar Vin's roof collapsed
In the south, ferry services to the Isle of Wight have been cancelled and Southampton Container Terminal closed.In the south, ferry services to the Isle of Wight have been cancelled and Southampton Container Terminal closed.
A man was taken to hospital after he was injured when the roof of Bar Vin in Bournemouth, Dorset, collapsed as winds of up to 80mph hit the coast.A man was taken to hospital after he was injured when the roof of Bar Vin in Bournemouth, Dorset, collapsed as winds of up to 80mph hit the coast.
Train operators ONE and GNER are operating a revised and reduced timetable on the East Coast Mainline due to the expected severe weather conditions.Train operators ONE and GNER are operating a revised and reduced timetable on the East Coast Mainline due to the expected severe weather conditions.
And the Shrewsbury to Chester rail line has been closed after a train collided with a tree just outside Chirk Station, just over the Welsh border.And the Shrewsbury to Chester rail line has been closed after a train collided with a tree just outside Chirk Station, just over the Welsh border.
Two men were taken to hospital overnight suffering from hypothermia after becoming disorientated while walking in heavy rain and fog in the Staffordshire Moorlands on Wednesday.Two men were taken to hospital overnight suffering from hypothermia after becoming disorientated while walking in heavy rain and fog in the Staffordshire Moorlands on Wednesday.
The weather has been causing problems elsewhere in the country, including:The weather has been causing problems elsewhere in the country, including:
  • In Berkshire, 25,000 people have been left without power
  • Some 25,000 people have been left without power in an area from Oxford to Poole and Chichester
  • Power cables have been brought down across the road in Bugle near St Austell in Cornwall
  • Power cables have been brought down across the road in Bugle near St Austell in Cornwall
  • In Kent, police warned of possible power cuts and the port of Dover, the M25 Dartford river crossing and the Sheppey Crossing were all shut
  • In Kent, police warned of possible power cuts and the port of Dover, the M25 Dartford river crossing and the Sheppey Crossing were all shut
  • There was also snow and ice in County Durham, where part of the A68 at Tow Law was closed for a short time after lorries and cars skidded into ditches
  • There was also snow and ice in County Durham, where part of the A68 at Tow Law was closed for a short time after lorries and cars skidded into ditches
  • Snow fell on the M62 in Yorkshire where it crosses the Pennines
  • Snow fell on the M62 in Yorkshire where it crosses the Pennines
    • Cold snapCold snap
    BBC Weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood said wind and rain will be heaviest in the south of the country in the morning, but will pick up in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England during the afternoon.BBC Weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood said wind and rain will be heaviest in the south of the country in the morning, but will pick up in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England during the afternoon.
    Scotland has seen its first major snowfalls of the yearScotland has seen its first major snowfalls of the year
    In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, wind speeds will pick up throughout the day, reaching 60 to 70mph in some parts and 80mph on high ground.In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, wind speeds will pick up throughout the day, reaching 60 to 70mph in some parts and 80mph on high ground.
    South and west facing coastlines are expected to bear the brunt of the storms.South and west facing coastlines are expected to bear the brunt of the storms.
    Central Scotland Police said several cars became stuck in snow on the A809 near Killearn, while Strathclyde has seen snow on the M74 south of Hamilton, Lanarkshire.Central Scotland Police said several cars became stuck in snow on the A809 near Killearn, while Strathclyde has seen snow on the M74 south of Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
    On Wednesday evening, two lorries jack-knifed in snow on the north-south A9 between Dalwhinnie and Blair Atholl in the Highlands.On Wednesday evening, two lorries jack-knifed in snow on the north-south A9 between Dalwhinnie and Blair Atholl in the Highlands.
    HAVE YOUR SAY The weather is poor, so I drove slower and more carefully on the way to work Scott Latham, Oxfordshire Send us your comments HAVE YOUR SAY When I went out to get a sandwich at lunchtime, I nearly got blown off the pavement Jamie Vaide, London Send us your comments
    The Highways Agency has advised all motorists to take extra care and to plan their routes in advance.The Highways Agency has advised all motorists to take extra care and to plan their routes in advance.
    P&O Ferries reported delays on their crossings from Dover and have advised passengers due to sail from the port on 18 January not to travel.P&O Ferries reported delays on their crossings from Dover and have advised passengers due to sail from the port on 18 January not to travel.
    Friday is expected to be calmer the country could be facing a cold snap next week. Friday is expected to be calmer but the country could be facing a cold snap next week.
    Despite an unusually mild start to January, he warned that temperatures are likely to plummet beyond the weekend. Despite an unusually mild start to January, forecasters have warned that temperatures are likely to plummet beyond the weekend.