Storm Ciara Pier bears brunt as heavy rain and gales batter area
THE first major of storm of 2020 brought heavy rain and severe gales to Bristol. A busy commuter route from North Somerset into Bristol was closed yesterday after trees came down in the storm.
The A369 Martcombe Road – the main route between Portishead and Bristol – was closed while North Somerset Council contractors were removing debris.
The work was complicated by the fact that a power cable had become entangled in the trees.
Council spokesman Nicholas Yates said yesterday morning: “Our contractors have been working hard to clear debris ... one tree has fallen but is being propped up by other trees.
“There is a power cable in amongst the trees which Western Power has isolated and our crews are on site now to deal with the trees. The road will be re-opened once it’s safe to do so.”
Trees also came down at Wraxall Hill, Belmont Hill, Wrington Road and Woodlands Way in Portishead as winds of up to 80 mph battered the district. Further along the A369 in Abbots Leigh the cycle path was blocked by a fallen tree, but passing walkers managed to clear the potentially dangerous obstruction.
Coastal areas also saw huge waves overtop sea defences.
Bristol Airport passengers were stranded on the tarmac after Storm Ciara caused “extremely challenging” conditions on Sunday.
Throughout Bristol and the West Country Storm Ciara brought disruption, including road closures and delayed rail services on Sunday, some continuing yesterday.
Several flights in Bristol were also cancelled or delayed, leading to an “unprecedented number of aircraft” arriving at the airport at the same time.
The chaos led to coaching delays, with some passengers angry at having to wait on the tarmac.
One unhappy passenger told the Post: “After enduring over two hours of delay flying from Belfast to Bristol on the 8.50pm flight on Sunday you would think it wouldn’t get worse. Well unfortunately for the poor passengers it could.”
Bristol Airport apologised for the delays and added that passenger safety was its number one priority.
“There were coaching delays experienced on Sunday regrettably, and we apologised to passengers at the time, and would again,” an airport spokesperson said.
“Sunday’s operation was extremely challenging with a large number of flight delays and aircraft operating off schedule due to Storm Ciara, and at times an unprecedented number of aircraft arrived and had to be dealt with all at the same time.
“We would like to thank passengers for their patience but as always passenger safety is our number one priority.”
On Sunday, fire crews attended a number of incidents arising from the storm, including a collapsed wall in Thornbury and a “dangerous” pub sign in Bedminster.
Residents in Bedminster were advised to stay indoors after high winds caused scaffolding to become unsafe.
York Road was closed by emergency services, and residents in Cutters Row and St Luke’s Court were advised to stay in their homes.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called to make the structure safe.
High winds continued to batter the region yesterday, but are expected to ease as the week progresses.