Storm Eunice: Travel advice ahead of red weather warning for Cornwall
People are being urged to only travel if absolutely necessary
Last updated 17th Feb 2022
Drivers are advised that Storm Eunice is expected to create severe driving conditions across much of Cornwall and the South West.
The Council is urging people to only make journeys if absolutely necessary.
National Highways has now issued a red alert for gales in addition to the red weather warning from the Met Office.
The National Highways red alert relates to the South West between 8am and 11am tomorrow (Friday). Exceptionally strong winds are predicted around the Bristol Channel peaking tomorrow morning with 70mph – 80mph gusts, possibly reaching 90mph over the Avonmouth and Severn Bridges.
This will lead to dangerous driving conditions for vulnerable vehicles with exceptional sidewinds and wind-blown debris. Road users are advised to avoid travel unless it’s essential.
There’s a particularly high risk that high-sided vehicles and other vulnerable vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over and National Highways, in conjunction with the Met Office, strongly advises these types of vehicles avoid the Severn Crossing, the M4 junction 22 to M5 junction 18, Stroud to M4, Avonmouth Bridge, and Clevedon to Bridgwater.
Advice to drivers
National Highways Head of Road Safety, Jeremy Phillips, said: “For those who do travel, we’re encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys and consider if their journey is necessary and can be delayed until conditions improve. If you do intend to travel, then plan your trip and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey.
“In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down.
“Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind which can affect handling and braking, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, and motorbikes plenty of space. In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow signed diversion routes.”
Rod Dennis from the RAC said: "Storm Eunice will make road conditions hazardous, so we strongly urge drivers not to risk it and instead consider delaying their journeys until the storm passes.
“For anyone who has to set out, we recommend sticking to major roads and avoiding exposed and coastal routes. It’s also vital to reduce speeds and to take extra care when passing high-sided vehicles so as not to get buffeted off course.
“Where snow comes into the mix, road conditions will quickly deteriorate making it important for drivers to adapt their driving styles. We strongly recommend being gentle on the accelerator, especially if the road surface becomes slippery. It’s worth knowing what to do in the event a car skids: in most cases, it’s best to gently steer into the direction of the skid and wait for the car to regain grip. Avoid the temptation to stamp on the brake.”
What about the trains?
Current forecasts suggest high winds will exceed 100mph. To make sure trains are able to run safely, speed restrictions across the Great Western Network are required.
This means GWR is expecting to significantly reduce the number of long-distance services, and where trains can run, journeys are expected to take much longer.
The main line in south Wales will be closed with services terminating at Bristol Parkway, some branch lines in Devon and Cornwall will have to close, and where bus replacement services are able to operate, they too will be affected by very poor road conditions, possible road closures, and are likely to be very busy.
Disruption is likely to continue into the weekend as Network Rail works to check and clear debris and fallen trees over 1,000 miles of track.
To help customers, GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on Friday 18th February to be able to travel on Thursday 17th through to and including Monday 21st February.
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Speed restrictions will be put in place on our network, but the extent of those restrictions can only be determined by conditions on the ground and are likely to change throughout the day.
“We will continue to run as many trains as we can but those who need to travel travel should be aware that we will have to reduce the number of trains we can run, journey times will take longer, and those trains we can run will be much busier.
“Please do heed the usual advice to check before you travel, and if you hold a ticket for tomorrow Friday 18 February and would like to travel today or up to Monday, we have eased restrictions so that you are able to do so.”