Storm Lilian is battering Cumbria.
A yellow weather warning for wind was in place until 11am today from the Met Office and flood warnings and alerts are in place.
Bank holiday events have been cancelled and drivers are urged to take care on the roads.
It has been reported that scaffolding from the Old Courthouse in Cockermouth has fallen into the River Cocker overnight. The Environment Agency was said to be meeting with contractors to work out how to remove it earlier today.
An area of strong winds associated with Storm Lilian was expected to move east across northern England this morning.
Very strong winds are likely to develop, with gusts widely in the 50mph to 60mph range, with a lower chance that a small core of winds gusting 65-75mph, perhaps 80mph, could push quickly east during the morning.
The weather warning has now been removed.
Roads
Newlands Pass is blocked due to a landslide.
The winds are likely to affect major routes such as the M6, A66 and A1(M), as well as potentially impacting infrastructure.
As well as the strong winds, some locally heavy rainfall will add to the difficult travel conditions.
Dozens of roads are affected across the county.
Drivers are urged to take care on the roads this morning as Storm Lilian batters the county.
Reports are already coming in of flooded roads.
Siddick Road in Workington and the roads around Workington Travelodge are affected.
Westmorland & Furness Council said Storm Lilian has caused fallen trees and flooding. It said it had increased resources and its crews were out on the network responding to reports of fallen trees and flooding following a very wet and wild night.
It said: “Our highways crews were ready to respond to the impacts of the storm and have been out clearing reports of fallen trees and flooding throughout the night and into the early hours of this morning.”
Affected roads include:
- Silverdale Road in Arnside completely blocked with fallen tree above the junction of Briary Bank – contractors are on site
- Trees blocking Abby Road and Park Road, Barrow – cleared by crews
- Trees blocking the A590 at Lindale – cleared by crews
Cumberland Council said roads affected included:
- Steel Brow (middle section) closed between Moresby and Frizington due to flooding.
- Flooding in various location around Mirehouse, Whitehaven and Distington – please read the signs.
- Braystones Road, Braystones closed due to flooding adjacent to the pumping station.
It warned that the wind was set to pick up throughout today and people may come across issues while out travelling.
Let us know what it is like in your neighbourhood – email admin@cumbriacrack.com
Trains
Northern has advised customers to avoid travelling.
All services on the Carlisle to Barrow line are cancelled until at least 2pm today. The 14:08 Carlisle to Barrow-In-Furness, due 16:45 will be cancelled. This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Power cuts
Electricity North West said all power cuts had been resolved.
It said using its automatic restoration systems, Electricity North West has been able to restore power to close to 15,000 properties, with some just under three minutes.
When it was safe to do so, engineers were dispatched and are now working to restore power to the remaining 3,000 properties. Impact has largely been across Lancashire with some damage in Cumbria and Greater Manchester, the firm said.
Flood warnings and alerts
There are two flood warnings in place – meaning flooding is expected:
- Keswick Campsite
- River Ehen at Egremont, Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill, Bridge End, Vale View, Wood Bank, Rugby Club
Flood alerts – meaning flooding is possible – are in place for:
- Coast at Barrow
- Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster
- Rivers Caldew and Petteril
- Rivers Cocker, Marron and Derwent
- Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck
- Rivers Ehen, Calder, Irt and Esk
- Rivers Esk and Irthing
- Rivers Greta, St John’s Beck and Bassenthwaite Lake
- Rivers Kent and Bela
- Rivers Lowther and Eamont
- Rivers Wampool and Ellen
- Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwentwater
Flood warnings and alerts removed
- Coast at Duddon Estuary
- Coast from Gretna to Silloth
- Coast from Silloth to St Bees
- Coast from St Bees Head to Haverigg
Events
Patterdale Dog Day has been cancelled
Silloth Carnival has been cancelled
Solfest was forced to cancel its Thursday performances but organisers managed to open camping fields last night.
Organisers said yesterday: “All Thursday day ticket holders can turn up with their ticket for Friday Saturday or Sunday.
“Thanks to all the hard work of everyone who pulled through today to make this happen, with the winds last night The Lagoon stage unfortunately did not survive the night and will no longer be able to go live this weekend, they and us are truly gutted. We are seeing what we can do to get artists from this stage on other stages, Utah Saints are now confirmed Saturday in the bar stage with the bar now running to 4am to accommodate some of the line-ups, Well Happy Band will open the main stage, Work in TV will be on the Friday main stage. Mrs Magoo Friday in the Bar stage. Colt 45 will be replacing Shelf Lives who unfortunately can no long perform any shows this weekend.
“Palais de Phonix is getting an A-frame tent to replace canvas tent as water was getting in around the staging.
“Weekend festival programming so far remains unchanged. We thank you for your patience and we will be in touch with Thursday ticket holders after the event. Day tickets will be on the day for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
In a statement today, organisers said it was planning to go ahead.
Keswick Show is going ahead, but the horses have been cancelled. Organisers said: “We feel it is the correct decision based upon a number of factors, the main one being health & safety of horses and riders and the other being the condition of the field after so much rain.”
