Storm Éowyn: Latest on roads, power cuts and public transport

Storm Eowyn battered Cumbria yesterday.

An amber warning for very strong winds was issued ahead of Storm Éowyn hitting Cumbria from 6am to 9pm yesterday, Friday January 24.

This is what happened – as it happened – yesterday. For the latest news from Saturday – please see here

Let us know what’s happening in your neighbourhood by emailing [email protected]

Latest news

• Carlisle Cathedral closed its precinct due to it becoming unsafe. There is no access to the precinct today or tomorrow. All public services are cancelled.
• We are getting reports in that the roof of McDonald’s in Whitehaven has been damaged by the storm.
• Parkway Cinema in Dunmail Park will remain closed all day and tickets will be automatically refunded.
• Following issues with the temporary canopy over the Sands Centre roof, as a precautionary measure, a decision has been made to temporarily close the pedestrian and cyclist use of Carlisle’s Eden Bridge, Memorial Bridge (leading into Rickerby Park) and all other routes into Rickerby Park to minimise risk, said Cumberland Council. 
• Sellafield’s main gate has reopened
• Senhouse Street in Maryport is being reported as unsafe to walk down due to roof debris.
• Oilys in Lillyhall is closed as a fallen tree is blocking the entrance to the pub.
• Workington’s Carnegie Theatre has closed.
• Masonry is falling from buildings in Cleator Moor.
• Bigrigg garage has been affected by the storm. Parts of the roof are coming down. Drivers urged to avoid the area.
• West Walls car park in Carlisle is closed.
• Sellafield Ltd is asking all staff and contractors who are due to travel to the Sellafield site for back shift work to stay home, unless workers are part of minimum safety staffing levels, required to support safety case compliance within any operational facilities or required to provide critical support. If in any doubt, check with local management in the first instance. Sellafield Ltd has made the decision to carry out site inspections following the adverse weather, it said.
• Foodbanks in Maryport, Wigton and Egremont will not open today due to the high winds. Cockermouth’s food bank at Highfield is also reported to be impacted by the storm, as the felt roof has blown off. Maryport foodbank centre will open for one hour only tomorrow, Saturday 25. Volunteers will be on site from 10am until 11am.
• Workington Reds face a costly bill after part of the roof of the Popular Side was damaged during the storm. The club is appealing for volunteers to help it ahead of the next home game.

Sands Centre, Carlisle

Eden Bridge in Carlisle is in the process of being reopened to pedestrians and cyclists.

It was closed after Storm Eowyn played havoc with the temporary canopy erected over the Sands Centre’s auditorium roof. The roof is being replaced after RAAC was discovered.

The high winds damaged the canopy and Cumberland Council closed Eden Bridge, Memorial Bridge (leading into Rickerby Park) and all other routes into Rickerby Park to minimise risk to pedestrians and cyclists as a precautionary measure.

Eden Bridge remained open to traffic.

But a spokesman said this evening that now wind speeds have dropped and assessments have been made, a decision has been taken to reopen the pedestrian walkway.

Rickerby Park, Memorial Bridge and Zero path have also reopened.

Newmarket Road and Duke’s Road remain closed but will reopen tomorrow morning, Saturday January 25.

The spokesman added: “The footways adjacent to The Sands Centre will remain closed and barriers will be place. The site will be under constant observation and if circumstances change, temporary closures will be reinstated.”

The Sands Centre leisure centre, Sands Centre car park and the Swifts car park will remain closed over the weekend.

Pupils from Trinity School and Stanwix Primary School were guided home.

A Cumberland Council spokesman said: “Arrangements were made to provide a safe route over Eden Bridge.

“Cumberland Council has contacted the affected schools and with the support of the schools and Cumbria police provided a fully stewarded route across Eden Bridge (western side only).”

Richard Rose Central Rose Academy was closed today.

Roads

• Harras Moor in Whitehaven is blocked due to a fallen tree
• Debris is being reported on the A595
• The A66 closed in both directions from midnight on Thursday January 23 from Penrith to Scotch Corner. It will reopen when safe to do so.
• There is a tree down on the Greengill to Dearham road in West Cumbria.
• Outrigg to Egremont road blocked on St Bees side of crossroads as two trees are down.
• The roof of the old hairdressers building in Frizington has come off and hit the road. Police have now reopened the road as of 1.47pm, but drivers are urged to drive with caution through the area.
• A tree is blocking the road near the Stanley Arms, in Gosforth
• Drivers are urged to take care travelling through St Bees Main Street as falling masonry has been reported. People are also urged to move parked vehicles from the area if possible.
• A tree is down and blocking the main road Rutland Avenue, near Bethshan Nursing Home in Whitehaven.
• Trees and debris are blocking the entrance to Sainsbury’s car park in Cockermouth.
• Borrowdale Road in Keswick, near George Fisher, is closed due to a roof in the road. People are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route. There are still some loose tiles that are likely to fall.

Roads closed in Cumberland

Carlisle area

• Close Street: Closed due to a timber fence blown onto the carriageway
• Durdar Road: A tree has fallen near The Lonning’s property, causing a road closure near The Black Lion, heading towards Dalston
• Shaddongate: Closed due to the Gate Garage roof obstruction
• Rickerby Park: Closed
• Newmarket Road: Closed next to The Sands Centre
• Duke Road: Closed due to the DFS roof obstruction
• Chatsworth Square: Closed due to a fallen chimney stack.
• Lediard Avenue: Closed due to a tree blocking the road.
• Scalegate Road (leading to Newbiggin Road): Closed due to a tree blocking the road.

Other areas

• Scaleby village: Closed due to a tree blocking the road.
• Sleetbeck to Roadhead: Closed due to four trees blocking the road.
• Thornthwaite to Braithwaite – Road Closed due to large tree and power lines down
• Frizington Hall Back Road – Road Closed Due to Trees down
• Back Ennerdale Road, Cleator Moor – Road Closed due to unsafe chimney stack
• Thirlmere Lake West Road (Not A591) – Road Closed due to many fallen trees

The police have closed the A596 between Northside roundabout and Lowca Lane Siddick due to an unsafe building (Asda).

The police have closed the A689 Linstock to Houghton due to trees damaging overhead power lines.

• The closure at Ponsonby has now been cleared, thanks to the assistance of a local farmer.
• Dalston: Barras Lane, previously closed at the Shell Depot due to a blown roof, has now been cleared

Roads closed in Westmorland & Furness

• A592 just north of Millerground – dangerous leaning tree
• C1037 near Brackenburgh – trees down
• C3054 Hardendale/Reagill area – trees down
• West of Grizebeck Bridge, Glenridding closed by Cumbria police – over hanging tree
• Highlands Grove, Barrow – fallen tree
• Askew Gate Brow, Kirkby-in-Furness – fallen trees
• The Riddings, Threlkeld – fallen tree
• Between Skirwith and Kirkland, single track road between – fallen tree
• Townhead, Penrith – fallen tree
• Aynam Road, Kendal – traffic management blown over and branch blocking the route
• Kirkfield Rise, Ambleside – tree down
• Junction of Kilgour Street and Southend Road, Penrith – Cumbria police requested urgent closure due to unsecured tiles

Impacted roads, passable with care in Westmorland & Furness

• A592 Bus Stop, opposite Patterdale Estate – fallen trees
• A592 near Patterdale Hall opposite the estate – hanging branch over
• Beacon Park, Penrith – fallen tree
• Drawbriggs Lane, Appleby – risk of trees falling
• Newton Rd, Penrith – traffic signals blown over and cones across the road
• A5074 near to the Gilpin Bridge Inn – hanging tree across the road may impact large vehicles
• B62534 between Old Hutton and Old Town – trees down
• B5320 between Tirril and Pooley Bridge, just north of Pooley Bridge – trees down
• B6413 Lazonby – traffic light failure
• B62534 between Old Hutton and Old Town
• Deepdale Farm, Milnthorpe – hanging tree across the road may impact large vehicles
• Thorny Hills, Kendal – branch blocking the pavement
• Behind the Black Bull Hotel, Kirkby Stephen – branch blocking pavement
• Alexander Place, Askam in Furness – tree down

Cumberland Council said partners and agencies across Cumbria were working together on the response and highways teams are out clearing debris from roads.

Reopened roads

• A592 between Glenridding and Patterdale – fallen trees cleared
• A592 Watermillock large branch cleared
• A592 Fell Foot – fallen trees cleared
• A595 Tippins Lane – fallen trees cleared
• A685 between Kendal and Grayrigg – fallen trees cleared
• A65 Kirby Motors – fallen trees cleared
• A6 between Plumpton Head and Penrith – fallen trees cleared
• A5074 Smith Lane towards Bowland Bridge – fallen tree cleared
• A590, Park Road – fallen lighting column made safe
• Helm Lane, Natland, between railway bridge and A65 – fallen trees cleared
• Meathop Rd, Lindale – fallen trees cleared
• B5284 Crook Memorial Hall – fallen trees cleared
• Town Bank Terrace, Ulverston – fallen lighting column made safe
• Yanwath village – fallen tree blocking road into village cleared
• Askew Gate Brow, Kirkby-In-Furness – fallen trees cleared
• Grizedale visitors centre to moortop car park – fallen trees cleared
• Rayrigg Road, Windermere – fallen trees cleared
• Hartington St, Barrow – pavement cleared following collapsed wall
• Meathop Rd, Lindale – tree down impacting power lines now cleared
• Portland Road Barrow safely reopened
• The Mount, Cark in Cartmel – fallen tree cleared
• Carlisle Street, Barrow – glass on the road and pavement caused by broken window cleared
• Slater Street, Barrow – gable end partially collapsed
• Ironworks Road, Barrow-in-Furness – fallen tree cleared
• C3065 Long Marton, Appleby – fallen tree cleared
• Local Road East of Coniston – fallen tree cleared
• Red Lane – fallen tree cleared
• B6254 Kirkby Lonsdale – fallen tree cleared
• Sealford Lane – fallen tree cleared
• Milnthorpe Road, Kendal – fallen tree cleared
• C5026 Near Graythwaite Hall – fallen tree cleared
• C3058 Maulds Meaburn – fallen tree cleared
• Maylands Avenue, Barrow – uprooted tree cleared
• Long Barn, Kirkby Lonsdale – fallen tree cleared
• Armathwaite village – fallen tree cleared
• Burton Road, Kendal – fallen tree on a car cleared
• Backbarrow – fallen tree cleared
• Bouth, near the Black Beck – fallen tree cleared
• Clarence Street in Ulverston – collapsed wall blocking the pavement cleared

Buses

• Stagecoach said its services in Carlisle and the Lakes were operating as normal – but drivers would be taking precautions so it could result in delays. It also warned that cancellations could happen.
• Stagecoach’s X4 will not operate at Lakes Distillery, Castle Inn and Bassenthwaite due to road conditions
• Due to fallen telephone wires, the X4/X5 service cannot reach Threlkeld
• Stagecoach’s 60 service will not operate
• Due to fallen trees on the A591, 554 buses will be diverting via the A595 and A66 both ways.
• Due to fallen trees and a tipped over wagons on the A75, the 79 services from Carlisle to Dumfries will have to terminate at Annan until further notice.
• The 30 service can operate through Annie Pit, Moss Bay. Salterbeck & Harrington.
• The 104 service from Carlisle to Center Parcs has resumed but is diverting via the M6.
• Seaton services are suspended
• 400, 554 and 600 services have resumed normal service.
• Due to fallen trees on the route, until further notice, the 64 services are unable to serve Cargo Village and will be dropping off on the main road at the junction.
• The 22 service is cancelled.
• Due to low hanging electrical cables, Stagecoach’s X5 service is unable to serve Thornthwaite until further notice.

Trains

• All trains are cancelled in and out Carlisle.
• Avanti West Coast has cancelled all trains north of Preston.
• Train companies Northern and TransPennine Express have advised people not to travel.

Power cuts

Catering and welfare support is available at the following locations for people experiencing a power cut:

• CA11- Kings Arms, Stainton (open until late)
• CA4- Plough Inn, Wreay (open until 2.30pm, then 4.30pm-10pm)
• CA8, Brampton (southwards)- 2 catering vans available in the area this evening from 4.30pm (check the website later for specific locations)
• LA11- The Commodore Inn, Grange Over Sands (open until 11pm)
• LA7/LA5- The Tavern, Hale (open until 11pm)
• LA8- The Watermill Inn, Staveley (open until 9pm for food)
• CA22- The Falcon Club, Egremont (open until 8.30pm for food)

Bassenthwaite Lake Station has offered its facilities as well. It said: “If anyone local has no electricity or hot water due to storm, feel free to come to station to warm up. Hot shower, boiling water available and heated floor. Bring flask if you wish. Will probably be closing around 4.30pm today.”

Areas affected

• 76 properties in Bromfield, Allerdale. Estimated time of restoration Sunday 6pm.
• 56 properties in Hesket. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 74 properties in Barton & Pooley Bridge. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 11 properties in Musgrave, Eden. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 86 properties in Beaumont, Carlisle – Estimated time of restoration 6pm tomorrow.
• 182 properties in Walton, Carlisle. Estimated time of restoration 6pm tomorrow.
• 400 properties in Staveley-in-Cartmel. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 12 properties in Morland, Eden – Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 72 properties in Skelton, Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 28 properties in Cathedral and Castle, Carlisle – Estimated time of restoration under review
• 29 properties in Rockcliffe, Carlisle. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 16 properties in Ponsonby. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 25 properties in Patterdale. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 6 properties in Rockcliffe, Carlisle. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 437 properties in Ravenstonedale. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm
• 17 properties in Underskiddaw. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 10 properties in Crosby Ravensworth. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 1,061 properties in Seascale. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 13 properties in Skelton. Estimated time of restoration under review
• 10 properties in Dalton Town with Newton. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 130 properties in Allonby. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 3.40pm.
• 5 properties in Skelton. Estimated time of restoration under review.
• 293 properties Stanwix Rural, Carlisle. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 397 properties in Stanwix Rural, Carlisle. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 10 properties in Skelwith. Estimated time of restoration 3.38pm
• 36 properties in Millom Without. Estimated time of restoration Sunday 6pm.
• 9 properties in Lindal and Marton. Estimated time of restoration 6.55pm.
• 9 properties in Lupton. Estimated time of restoration 6.20pm.
• 150 properties in Colton. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 469 properties in Woodside, Allerdale. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 6 properties in Keswick. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 17 properties in Egremont. Estimated time of restoration Sunday 6pm.
• 35 properties in Satterthwaite. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 77 properties in Holme St Cuthbert. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 423 properties in Hunsonby. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 105 properties in Arthuret, Carlisle. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 173 properties in Wetheral. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 20 properties in Allhallows. Estimated time of restoration under review
• 106 properties in Askam & Ireleth. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 162 properties in Kingwater, Carlisle. Preparing to send team. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 8 properties in Catterlen, Estimated time of restoration – 10.25pm
• 5 properties in Penrith. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 7 properties in Embleton. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 17 properties in Sebergham. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm
• 16 properties in Windermere. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 4 properties in Strickland Ketel. Estimated time of restoration – 9.25pm.
• 495 properties in Westlinton. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 11 properties in Bolton. Team on site. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 119 properties in Caldbeck. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 23 properties in Wetheral. Estimated time of restoration under review
• 365 properties in Hayton & Mealo. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 21 properties in Natland. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 122 properties in Irton With Santon. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 102 properties St Cuthbert Without. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 76 properties in Woodside. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 62 properties in Askerton, Carlisle. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 81 properties in Matterdale. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 8 properties in Hunsonby. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 17 properties in Langwathby. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 57 properties in Great Strickland. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 54 properties in Matterdale. Estimated time of restoration – Sunday 6pm
• 110 properties in Skelton. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 4 properties in Crosthwaite & Lyth. Estimated time of restoration 9.25pm
• 5 properties in Hesket. Estimated time of restoration 8.30pm.
• 129 properties in Lazonby. Team on way. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 11 properties in Lorton. Team on way. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm.
• 23 properties in Lakes, South Lakeland. Estimated time of restoration 7.10pm.
• 33 properties in Holme Abbey. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 136 properties in Egremont. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 33 properties in Holme Abbey. Estimated time of restoration – Saturday 6pm
• 5 properties in Osmotherley, South Lakeland. Estimated time of restoration Saturday 6pm.
• 4 properties in Cartmel Fell. Estimated time of restoration under review
• 20 properties in Aikton. Estimated time of restoration under review
• 564 properties in Brampton. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 18 properties in Holme St Cuthbert. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 712 properties in Skelton. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 6 properties in Langwathby. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 6 properties in Holme Low. Estimated time of restoration 9.30pm
• 109 properties in Sebergham. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 7 properties in Aspatria. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 314 properties in Brampton. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Sunday
• 92 properties in Penrith. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 156 properties in Hesket. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 174 properties in Kirkby Thore. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 104 properties in Seaton. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 12 properties in Hawcoat, Barrow. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 45 properties in Wigton. Estimated time of restoration under review
• 138 properties in Silloth. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 1,372 properties in Penrith. Estimated time of restoration under review.
• 63 properties in Woodside. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 5 properties in Cliburn. Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday.
• 1,761 properties in Hesket, Estimated time of restoration 6pm Saturday

Electricity North West said given the severity of the predicted wind speeds, damage to overhead electricity lines is likely and it may not be safe for overhead lines teams to climb poles and repair damage until wind speeds decrease.

If people notice damage to the network, they are urged to call 105.

Schools

Cumbria Crack is aware that the following schools were closed today:

• Millom School
• Parkview Nursery School, Millom
• Thwaites School, Millom
• Flimby Primary School
• Keswick School
• Moor Row Community Primary School
• Dearham Primary School
• Cockermouth School
• Sedbergh Primary School
• Mayfield School, Whitehaven and Cockermouth
• St Benedict’s School Whitehaven
• The Whitehaven Academy
• St Joseph’s, Workington
• Beckstone Primary School, Harrington
• Westfield Nursery & Primary School, Workington
• Ashfield Infant & Nursery School, Workington
• Ulverston Victoria High School
• Settlebeck School Sedbergh
• Brunswick School, Penrith
• North Lakes School, Penrith
• Beaconside Primary School, Penrith
• Clifton School
• Culgaith CofE School
• Allithwaite School, Grange-over-Sands
• Morland Area Primary School
• St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School Penrith
• Lowther Endowed School Penrith
• Temple Sowerby Primary School
• Richard Rose Central Rose Academy
• Stanwix Primary School – Cumberland Council have asked the school to temporarily halt all collections of children as they are in an emergency meeting to asses the danger posed by the Sands Centre. Parents are asked to not arrive to collect their child until further notice. The school site is safe.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith said yesterday at 8.20pm that it intended to remain open.

Rubbish collections

Cumberland Council has suspended all waste and recycling collections. Find out the update about what happens next for waste and recycling collections here.

Forests

People are urged not to visit Cumbria’s forests this weekend as rangers assess the damage caused by Storm Eowyn.

Forestry England, which is responsible for Ennerdale, Cogra Moss, Whinlatter, Grizedale, Blengdale Forest, Hardknott, Whitbarrow, Eggerslack Woods, Dalton Crags Forest, Dodd Wood, Setmurthy, and High Stand and Coombs Wood, asked people not to visit them today due to the high risk of falling trees.

Wild Ennerdale said: “Thank you to everyone who has followed the official advice and our ask to postpone their visit to Ennerdale today as Storm Éowyn brings high winds across the country.

“While the impact of the weather is yet to be fully assessed we are asking visitors to postpone travelling to Ennerdale and other Forestry England sites in Cumbria this weekend to allow our rangers to safely inspect and make our trails safe.

“We will update as soon as we are able with more information.

“Forests and woodlands can be dangerous places to be during a storm and even once it has passed fallen trees and branches may still present a danger. Consider your safety before visiting.”

Other

• The Richardson Street entrance to Carlisle Cemetery’s grounds are closed. The grounds will be open for funerals only.
• All household recycling centres in Cumberland are closed due to several near miss incidents.
• Whinlatter parkrun has been cancelled on Saturday.
• Whitehaven’s Beacon museum is closed today.
• M&I Travel will not be running any school or day centre transport.
• Rickerby Park is closed in Carlisle.
• Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton is closed due to a power outage.
• Windermere Ferry is cancelled.
• The Gaiety Cinema in Whitehaven is closed.

Coastal areas

People are asked to exercise extreme caution around coastal areas during the storm.

The RNLI is asking people living near the coast or visiting to be aware of the dangers the stormy weather could bring – particularly around exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners have issued a ‘polite safety notice’ in the wake of Storm Eowyn.

They said: “As you are aware, today’s weather is extreme, this is Mother Nature at her strongest.

“Storm Eowyn is in full force around Whitehaven Harbour and the conditions are still very dangerous.

“Can we please ask that you do not venture onto the quays or piers as it is unsafe and you are putting yourself at great risk.

“This is why the emergency services ask people to stay away from the harbour, please respect this.”

Where can I report any issues?

• Electricity North West can be contacted on 105 for power cuts, but only call if your query is urgent to help prioritise customers in the most vulnerable circumstances.
•  For water supply issues contact United Utilities on 0345 672 3723.
•  Problems with the roads in Cumberland can be reported to Cumberland Council via the council’s website www.cumberland.gov.uk or, in an emergency, on the Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3736. 
•  For Westmorland and Furness, report highways emergencies that require immediate attention such as a fallen tree or flooding to the authority’s Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3306. For less serious issues, complete the highways online reporting form found at westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 
• Contact www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or call 101 if you have concerns about your own safety and well-being, or the safety and well-being of someone you know. If there is an immediate risk to life call 999.