Hundreds without power and travel disruption as Storm Amy hits Wales


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Storm Amy has caused widespread disruption across Wales this weekend

Hundreds of homes are without power as Storm Amy brought 85mph gusts to Wales which has also caused travel disruption.

Strong winds have closed a section of the M4 in south Wales at Kenfig Viaduct from Junction 38 Margam to Junction 37 Pyle.

Meanwhile, trains and ferries have been cancelled and bridges shut, with a ferry sailing from Dublin to Holyhead spending hours offshore unable to berth.

A fallen tree at Gobowen led to rail services being suspended between Shrewsbury and Wrexham on Friday, while the M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions.

A chunk of this building in Cardiff came loose as a result of the strong winds

There are flood alerts in place across mid and north-west Wales and the Met Office has urged those on the coast to stay safe during the stormy weather.

By 16:00 BST, 462 customers were without power in south and west Wales, National Grid said.

Anglesey council said there are a number of road closures in place as a result of fallen trees.

The large power cut on the Cardiff-Vale of Glamorgan border has now been fixed – but the 100 customers in Cathays who lost power at 0700 are still without electricity.

There are also incidents at the moment in Aberdare, Pyle and Pontardawe.

In north Wales, SP Energy networks is dealing with incidents in the Trefriw and Llanrwst area, Old Colwyn, in areas around Bala and at Bodorgan on Anglesey.

Numerous other faults in the region have since been repaired.

It fell to the ground on North Edward Street just outside Helmont House Car Park

Llanelli based rugby team Scarlets have had to postpone their match against Connacht as a result of travel disruption caused by Storm Amy. They were due to fly to Ireland for a 13:45 BST kick-off on Saturday.

The high bridges on the A483 south of Wrexham, which cross the Dee and Ceiriog valleys, were shut but have since reopened.

The M48 Severn Crossing remains closed due to high winds, and the A40 near Sennybridge, in Powys, is closed as a result of a fallen tree.

Transport for Wales (TfW) said a boat has crashed into a bridge between Tywyn and Harlech in Gwynedd and there is “major disruption” on the borders line between Newport and Shrewsbury due to a tree blocking the railway.

Services have “been suspended” until further notice and TfW have said they are currently unable to run Rail Replacement Bus Services.

There is also a tree blocking the line between Hereford and Leominster.

Ferries have struggled to dock in the windy conditions at Holyhead Port on Saturday

A Ferry crossing from Holyhead to Dublin was cancelled, along with the Stena ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare.

The company said it “expected” sailing to resume later on Saturday.

After disruption to Stena Line services, sailings are expected to resume later on Saturday

Meanwhile the Menai Suspension Bridge will “temporarily close” at 14:00 BST after a recent investigation found bolts under the beams need replacing.

A Welsh government spokesperson said emergency vehicles will be in place should the Britannia Bridge be “affected by high winds”.

Welsh Transport Secretary Ken Skates said he was “deeply sorry” for the “ongoing disruption” caused by the closure.

“We have explored every option to keep the bridge open safely but our hand has been forced to introduce a full closure.

“The bridge closure will remain in place until further investigations are completed in the coming days.”

The Met Office has warned people to be “aware of large waves” and to “stay safe” during the stormy weather.

“Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

A fallen tree blocks a road and narrowly avoids parked cars in Canton, Cardiff


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