Storm Eunice: Shropshire attractions shut doors as 'do not travel warning' issued

An amber weather warning for wind, which carried a danger to life message - has been issued across most of the UK, including Shropshire and Mid Wales. Further south a rare red weather warning - meaning danger to life from flying debris - has been issued across South West England and South Wales, where gusts are expected to reach 90mph.

Some schools across the region - including all in the Powys and Wrexham boroughs - are closing as a result, while attractions including National Trust sites are being shut down.

And the Love Telford festival, set to honour the town’s arts and culture scene, has also been postponed. Instead of taking place on Saturday, it has been moved back to Saturday, March 19.

Meanwhile flooding remains a risk, with flood barriers up in Shrewsbury where Frankwell Car Park was fully closed on Thursday evening. Shropshire council said St Julian's Friars Car Park was expected to remain open on Friday but close on Saturday as water levels rise.

In its amber warning for the region the Met Office says: "There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life. Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down.

"Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights. There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur and possibly affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

"It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees."

Transport for Wales (TfW) - which serves towns including Shrewsbury, Telford, Ludlow and Gobowen, as well as Mid Wales - has cancelled all train services on Friday as Storm Eunice replaces Storm Dudley, and is not offering replacement buses either.

The train operator said: "With Very high winds anticipated across the network, ALL TfW services will be withdrawn on Friday 18th February with NO replacement road transport being supplied.

"Services on Saturday the 19th will be subject to disruption. TfW advise that you check before travelling during the days following the storm.

"Passengers with tickets for travel for Friday 18th, can travel on Thursday 17th, Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th and Monday 21st."

Avanti West Coast is also operating a reduced timetable this week.

The operator told passengers: "Due to Storm Eunice, we’ll be operating an amended timetable on Friday 18 February with journey times extended due to speed restrictions.

"We strongly recommend customers do not travel on Friday 18 & instead travel on Thursday 17 or Saturday 19 Feb with their original tickets."

West Midlands Railway is also warning passengers not to travel on Friday, saying existing tickets will be valid for travel on Thursday or Saturday instead on "any West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway service for the route specified on your ticket".

Traffic Wales is also set to close the Dee Viaduct on the A5 and A483, which link Shropshire with the North West.

The southbound lane will be closed on Thursday evening ahead of a full closure on Friday.

Traffic Wales said in a statement: The traffic management needs to be set out on Thursday evening while winds are lower. A full closure may be required due to high winds.

"Please note that due to the landslip on B5605 Newbridge the diversion route has been extended."

Flood alerts have also been issued along the River Severn where levels remain high "at all gauges", according to the Environment Agency after heavy rainfall.

The agency warns of flooding to low-lying land and roads adjacent to the river from Shrewsbury to Upper Arley, affecting locations including White Abbey, Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.

On Wednesday defence barriers were set up in Frankwell, Shrewsbury. Shropshire Council said it had been notified by the Environment Agency that the barriers will remain in place until further notice, to protect the area from flood water.

Chris Bainger, an officer with the Environment Agency, said the deployment of flood barriers at Frankwell was more a precaution at this stage.

"It's about thinking big and acting early," he said. "With high winds forecast it would be more difficult to put the flood barrier up at Frankwell.

"River levels are high but that is not unexpected at this time of the year. We are expecting levels to continue to rise."

Another flood alert has been issued on the Severn Vyrnwy confluence from the Welsh border at Llawnt to Shrawardine near Shrewsbury. Other locations that may be affected include Llanymynech, Maesbrook and Melverley.

Natural Resource Wales has also issued a flood alert along the Upper Severn in Powys covering the main river and its tributaries from Llandrinio, through Welshpool and Newtown and down to Llanidloes.

In Wales Powys County Council has also decided to close all schools on Friday, saying Storm Eunice is "likely to cause significant damage to buildings and travelling in such conditions would be dangerous".

The Love Telford festival, set to honour the town’s arts and culture scene, has also been postponed. Instead of taking place on Saturday, it has been moved back to Saturday, March 19.

Chirk Castle has announced that it will be closed on Friday due to forecast high winds over 50mph. But they expect to be open again Saturday following a morning safety check.

A spokesperson for the National Trust in the Midlands, said: “Due to the forecast for high winds and stormy conditions many of our places will be closed on Friday, with post-storm checks likely to be needed into Saturday. We advise those planning a visit over the next few days to check our website before travelling.”

The NT's Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury, will be closed and the team is monitoring the situation and once it is safe to do so, they will prepare the site for re-opening.

The car parks at Comer Woods, Dudmaston and Benthall Hall will also be closed.

In Staffordshire the car park at Kinver Edge will be closed tomorrow and the team at Shugborough Estate will be confirming their decision later this afternoon.

English Heritage sites Boscobel House, Goodrich Castle, and Stokesday Castle weren’t due to open anyway but we were planning to be open for the half term from Saturday through to the following weekend.

An English Heritage spokesperson said: "We’re keeping a close eye on the weather at the moment to see what happens and so this may change. Visitors should check our website before travelling."

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, in Craven Arms, will be opening but advising people not to use the meadows because of the risk from trees. A vounteering group planned for the morning has been cancelled.

"We are encouraging an indoor day but will still be open," said manager Grant Wilson.

Will Dorrell, at Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom, in Telford, advises people to watch social media for any announcements.

"We are still planning to open but people should keep an eye on our social media channels for any announcements.

"Most of the animals don't mind the wind, they might take themselves inside."

Staying inside was the message from West Mercia Search and Rescue who said their general advice would be to not travel unless absolutely necessary as there’ll be plenty of tree damage and risk of cross-winds.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service says: "A red weather warning has been issued to the south of us and Shropshire is currently under an Amber warning for wind. Consider if your journey is essential before setting out."