Trees down and roads warnings as Storm Eleanor hits Shropshire and Mid Wales - with pictures
Trees were brought down on cars and motorists were warned to take extra care as Storm Eleanor brought high winds to Shropshire and Mid Wales today.
Motorists near Oswestry were left with a de-tour on their way home from work when a large tree was felled between Knockin and Kinnerley shortly after 5.30pm.
The road was completely blocked with locals forced to take diversions.
West Mercia Police were informed and passed the matter onto the highways department, who were attempting to clear the road.
Earlier trees were felled in Coalbrookdale on Paradise, partially blocking road between Dale Road & Wharfage; on the A49 at Ludlow, between Ashford Bowdler and the B4361 turn; in Dawley Green Way, near Madeley Academy and between Cherrington and Kynnersley.
Trees also came down on two cars at Apley Park.
Drivers escaped injury when a trailer overturned on a high bridge on the A5/A483 on the Shropshire border.
The crash happened on the exposed section of road that crosses the River Ceiriog, part of the Chirk bypass.
Emergency services were called to the scene just after 9.15am.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said a trailer had overturned with a collision between two cars.
No-one was trapped and there were no injuries, the fire service said. The accident meant the road was closed, causing heavy traffic through Chirk.
The National Trust's Chirk Castle was closed today over safety fears because of Storm Eleanor. Staff say high winds had led to the decision.
Russell Griffin, a spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said council teams were out dealing with fallen trees.
"There have been reports this morning of trees on top of two cars at Apley Park," he said.
"There have also been trees down at Dawley Green Way and near Madeley Academy.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation."
A huge tree was also brought down in the centre of Newtown.
The Met Office said Wednesday would see a very blustery day, with squally gusts accompanying showers in many areas. Inland gusts exceeding 60 mph are possible, it warned.
A yellow warning for wind was in place for the Midlands until 7pm today.
Flood alerts were in place in Shropshire for the River Severn, Rea Brook and Cound Brook, Severn Vyrnwy Confluence, Tern and Perry Catchments and Upper Teme.
Emergency services warned commuters to take care.
Tim Sneddon, Shropshire Council’s environmental maintenance service manager, said: “When we have reports of trees down, flooding or roads closed for whatever reason our priority is firstly to make it safe.
“We then look to open roads as soon as we can, again on a priority basis by dealing with A, B and major link roads first, then the more rural network. There can be issues when trees pull down power lines when they fall and we need to work closely with the power suppliers to make them safe before we can then remove the tree. If a road is likely to be closed for an extended period of time, then a formal diversion route will be signed and put in place.
“As far as Storm Eleanor is concerned the initial view is that Shropshire has coped quite well. We had some strong winds last autumn and a considerable number of trees down due to the heavy snow just before Christmas, which might have taken the more vulnerable trees before last night.”
Elsewhere in the UK, several major bridges were closed due to high winds, and there were numerous reports of fallen trees blocking roads, as Storm Eleanor lashed the UK with winds of up to 100mph, leaving thousands of homes without power and hitting transport links.
