Storm Pia live as 50mph winds cause disruption on trains and roads across West Midlands
The Met Office has issued a weather warning of high winds which are currently battering much of the UK today. In the West Midlands this has sees branches and trees toppling over, blocking roads and pavements.
The gusts are sending debris flying around and people are rushing out to rescue their bins. The gusts come as Danish named Storm Pia brings strong winds across the UK.
Rail providers are warning of potential delays with services. Meanwhile, a fallen tree has blocked off the Roundabout estate in Northfield.[1] Fire crews are currently trying to remove the huge stricken tree which is laid across the pavement and road.
The Met Office forecast for the day predicts a dry, sunny day with temperatures climbing to 11C. But gusts of wind will remain high into the afternoon ranging between 45mph and 51mph between 8am and 3pm.
A yellow weather warning is in place for large swathes of the UK until 9pm. While Birmingham just skirts the edge of that warning, large parts of the Black Country are included including Walsall and Wolverhampton
Please email any pictures or information about incidents to [email protected]
Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp[2]
Get the latest updates below.
20:26Harry Leach
Further reading
This live blog has now closed.
Here is a recap of our stories covering Storm Pia from earlier today:
19:59Harry Leach
Bus services accept rail tickets
A number of National Express bus services are accepting rail tickets.
See below for a list of bus services accepting rail tickets:
Rail Ticket Acceptance
National Express are accepting rail tickets on the following :
8A/C, 14, 28, 65, 66, 67, 907, 907A, X3, X4, X5, 94, 95, X14, 77/A, X15
Until 10AM Friday 22/12/2023
— NX West Midlands (@nxwestmidlands) December 21, 2023[3]19:32Harry Leach
Fallen tree blocks road in Shropshire
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Tree down at B4363, from Deuxhill to Marlbrook Bridge, Bridgnorth, in Shropshire. Highways dealing."
The force warned drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes.
19:09Harry Leach
Train service cancelled
Trains services between New Street and Lichfield City have been cancelled today. It's understood they should be back up and running tomorrow.
A West Midlands Railway spokesperson said: "Ticket acceptance on National Express buses remains in place."
18:44Harry Leach
Storm Pia recap
Here is a recap of our stories covering Storm Pia from earlier today:
18:01Harry Leach
New Street 'sorry' for disruption
New Street Station has apologised over travel disruption. A spokesperson said: "We’re really sorry to West Midlands Railway passengers affected by disruption.
"Please see http://nationalrail.co.uk[4] for the latest journey advice."
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
16:52Harry Leach
Watch planes struggling to land at Birmingham Airport
Terrifying footage shows planes struggling to land at Birmingham Airport as Storm Pia batters the country. Gusts of up to 80mph have hit parts of the country today with dozens of flights and rail journeys cancelled.
Click here[5] to watch the footage.
16:29Harry Leach
London passengers facing travel chaos
Passengers in London are facing travel chaos, reports The Standard.[6] Trains were being cancelled from Euston.
A last-minute Eurostar strike was also affecting travel at St Pancras.
16:14Harry Leach
Most train lines reopened - West Midlands Railway
West Midlands Railway has said most lines have reopened after tracks were blocked by fallen trees. The operator said: "All trees have been removed and lines reopened, except between New Street and Four Oaks."
#WMRUPDATE[8] - All trees have been removed and lines reopened, except between New St and Four Oaks.
Services are suspended between New St and Lichfield City till the end of day.
Ticket acceptance @NXWestMidlands and replacement buses from Sutton to Lichfield. https://t.co/Ehc2D0DlEn[9][10]
— West Midlands Railway (@WestMidRailway) December 21, 2023[11]15:53Harry Leach
Power cables and tree block Shropshire road
Power cables and a fallen tree have blocked a road in Shropshire. Goldstone Road is currently shut, police said.
Goldstone Road, Hinstock #Shropshire is currently blocked due to a fallen tree and power cables. Near to the Goldstone Hotel. Highways are aware. #StormPia[12][13]
— West Mercia Operations & Communications Centre (@WestMerciaOCC) December 21, 2023[14]15:38Harry Leach
Tree blocks major route
Police have warned that the A4103 is partially blocked at Cradley due to a fallen tree. Motorists were urged to drive with caution.
A4103 Herford to Worcester road is partially blocked at Cradley due to a fallen tree. Highways are aware, please approach with caution. #StormPia[15]
— West Mercia Operations & Communications Centre (@WestMerciaOCC) December 21, 2023[16]14:40 birminghammail.co.uk
Wrap up of rail disruption
A number of train services in the West Midlands were cancelled or delayed this afternoon after tracks were blocked by fallen trees. Strong winds in the region caused havoc to public transport.
Some services from Birmingham New Street[17] were severely affected. The busy station said at 1.46pm today that workers were "responding to a number of incidents across the network". It added that affected lines will reopen when safe to do so.
We have a full report of all the closures here.[18]
14:25 birminghammail.co.uk
Fallen Tree blocking Halesowen route
The winds are not letting up. The A458 Windmill Hill in Halesowen is blocked due to a fallen tree around the Beecher Road junction.
This incident is also impacting Drews Holloway with congestion building on this route.
The number 9 will be diverting in both directions via: Colley Lane, Butchers Lane and Corngreaves Road. Allow extra time to travel and consider alternative routes
Windmill Hill, Halesowen (Image: Google Street)
13:38 birminghammail.co.uk
A list of regional train disruptions
Storm Pia is causing havoc on our railway system. The strong winds have blown trees down on lines, resulting in delays or cancellations.
Services are currently suspended between:
Aston and Lichfield City
Tyseley and Stratford-upon-Avon via Whitlocks End
Hednesford and Rugeley TV
Worcester and Hereford
Coventry and Nuneaton
Click here for more information[19] about managing your travel today.
13:24 birminghammail.co.uk
Planes struggle to land at Birmingham Airport during Storm Pia
Our photograpaher has been filming planes trying to land at Birmingham Airport in winds of up to 50mph.
This video shows aircraft gently swaying in the gusts before making a safe landing. No delays were reported at the airport.
13:17 birminghammail.co.uk
Problems on train services between B'ham Snow Hill and Whitlocks End
A fallen tree has blocked the railway between B'ham Snow Hill and Whitlocks End. Due to the high winds, the tree below fell onto the line at Spring Road.
Network Rail are working to clear the line.
#WMRUPDATE[20] 3 - Tree blocking the railway between B'ham Snow Hill and Whitlocks End
Due to the high winds, the tree below fell onto the line at Spring Road. Network Rail are working to clear the line.
Services will remain disrupted through the early afternoon. https://t.co/FK2Q6G5cBz pic.twitter.com/DDvfXesuXt[21][22]
— West Midlands Railway (@WestMidRailway) December 21, 2023[23]13:13 birminghammail.co.uk
More trouble on the tracks
There is a tree on line between Birmingham New St and Four Oaks stations. Services are cancelled between Birmingham New St and Lichfield City.Other services on the Cross City lines are subject to delay, cancellation and alterations.
12:29 birminghammail.co.uk
Railway disruption
There is no service on the West Midlands Railway between Coventry and Nuneaton due to fallen tree on the line.
There is also problems on the line running from Hednesford and Rugeley Trent Valley due to winds. Please check before you travel.
12:03 birminghammail.co.uk
Tree blocking route from Snow Hill
A fallen tree is blocking the railway between Bimingham Snow Hill and Whitlocks End. Trains running on the Snow Hill line may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
#WMRNEW[24] - Tree blocking the railway between Bimingham Snow Hill and Whitlocks End
Trains running on the #SnowHill[25] line may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
Ticket acceptance on @nxwestmidlands[26] via any reasonable route.
ℹ️ Planner > https://t.co/fLFM8ewkOu[27]
— West Midlands Railway (@WestMidRailway) December 21, 2023[28]11:31 birminghammail.co.uk
Uprooted tree lands on bungalow
A pensioner was treated by paramedics after strong winds caused a tree to uproot and land on her bungalow. The large tree came crashing down across the Roundabout in Longbridge, around 7.20am on Thursday (Dec 21).
Paramedics treated the woman, said to be in her 70s, for shock. Meanwhile fire fighters have been working to remove the stricken tree from the road.
We have a full story here.[29]
11:02 birminghammail.co.uk
Ride disruption at Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor is open as usual but visitors are being warned to expect some delays with the rides due to the strong winds.
Visitor update - Thursday 21st December pic.twitter.com/ZLowJr3aR3[30]
— Drayton Manor (@DraytonManor) December 21, 2023[31]10:33 birminghammail.co.uk
Four miles of congestion on M6 due to fallen lamppost
There are currently two lanes closed on the M6 southbound between J9 and J8 due to a fallen down lamppost. There is approx. four miles of congestion on the approach to the closure.
Drivers are facing an additonal 30 minutes to their normal journey times.
2 lanes (of 4) are closed on the #M6[32] southbound between J9 #Wednesbury[33] and J8 (#M5[34]) due to a fallen down lamppost which is blocking the lanes
There is approx. 4 miles of congestion on the approach to the closure, which adds about 30 minutes to normal journey times pic.twitter.com/vijj8W8IVb[35]
— National Highways: West Midlands (@HighwaysWMIDS) December 21, 2023[36]10:16 birminghammail.co.uk
Residents using a ladder to climb over blocked tree in Northfield
A huge falled tree is still blocking the Roundabout in Northfield. I am told that locals are using a ladder to climb over the the other side, helped by fire crews.
The tree has fallen close to the junction of the Roundabout and Bristol Road.
Aucklands Drive (Image: Katie Kates)
09:49Matt LLoyd
Storm Pia disruption times
You might be hitting the road today on your Christmas travels. Storm Pia is expected to cause disruption in various parts of the UK.
We;ve got the forecast showing when winds will be at their worst over the coming hours. You can read the full story here.[37]
09:39 birminghammail.co.uk
A reminder of our new WhatsApp service
We have launched a new WhatsApp service where you can get all the breaking news direct and never miss a thing.
Sign up here: Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp[38]
09:24 birminghammail.co.uk
Warning from Network Rail to train travellers
Network Rail is warning passengers to check ahead of their journeys incase of delays. So far rail services have been running smoothly in the region.
Elsewhere, the Collector Road is closed in the direction of the Fort due to an unstable lamppost.
A fallen tree has blocked access to the Roundabout in Northfield. The council's highways department is dealing with stricken trees and branches.
09:19 birminghammail.co.uk
Weather forecast for the rest of the day - windy !
Birmingham is being battered by 51mph gusts. The Met Office forecast for the day is dry, sunny, with temperatures climbing to 11C.
But gusts of wind will remain high into the afternoon ranging between 45mph and 51mph between 8am and 3pm.
Take care !
09:05 birminghammail.co.uk
Police on scene at Collector Road, Castle Bromwich
The Collector Road in Castle Bromwich is currently closed in one direction. Police have blocked off the Fort-bound side of the route due to an unstable lamppost.
A section of the Collector Road is currently closed (Image: Brooke Nason)
09:00Matt LLoyd
Met Office wind map
As it stands, winds are forecast to hit gusts of 53mph at around 10am as shown by the Met Office map below.
It shows winds speeds across our area forecast in the next hour or so.
Met Office wind map showing forecast wind gusts at 10am on Thursday December 21
08:57 birminghammail.co.uk
Reports of flying wheelie bins and trampolines
Make sure to sure weight down your trampolines and secure your wheelie bins too. This runaway trampoline is doing the rounds in Castle Bromwich.
Aucklands Close, Castle Bromwich (Image: Brooke Nason)
References
- ^ Roundabout estate in Northfield. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ http://nationalrail.co.uk (t.co)
- ^ Click here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ reports The Standard. (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ Click here (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ #WMRUPDATE (twitter.com)
- ^ @NXWestMidlands (twitter.com)
- ^ https://t.co/Ehc2D0DlEn (t.co)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Shropshire (twitter.com)
- ^ #StormPia (twitter.com)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ #StormPia (twitter.com)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ Birmingham New Street (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ here. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ information (www.nationalrail.co.uk)
- ^ #WMRUPDATE (twitter.com)
- ^ https://t.co/FK2Q6G5cBz (t.co)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/DDvfXesuXt (t.co)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ #WMRNEW (twitter.com)
- ^ #SnowHill (twitter.com)
- ^ @nxwestmidlands (twitter.com)
- ^ https://t.co/fLFM8ewkOu (t.co)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ here. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/ZLowJr3aR3 (t.co)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ #M6 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Wednesbury (twitter.com)
- ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/vijj8W8IVb (t.co)
- ^ December 21, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ full story here. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)