Yellow warning in place as West bears the brunt of storm
THE Westcountry endured a stormy night with trees down, restrictions on the Tamar Bridge and the coastline battered by high winds and large waves.
Storm Freya, which brought heavy snow to the Republic of Ireland, hit Devon and Cornwall around 3pm with wind and rain. Trains between Plymouth and Penzance were put under 50mph speed restrictions and small craft were forced to stay in harbour during the worst of the storm.
The Met Office issued a yellow ‘danger to life’ warning, which expires at 6am today. Winds gusting as high as 80mph battered the coasts while in Plymouth city centre part of Charles Street, near Drakes Circus, was closed after fencing blew down, blocking the road.
In Tregony, Cornwall, power cables were brought down, forcing the closure of Tregony Hill.
CROWDS gathered on exposed coasts in Cornwall yesterday as the county became the first to bear the brunt of storm Freya, which raced across Britain bringing wind and rain to many parts.
A large tree partially blocked a road near Redruth, near North Country heading towards Porthtowan. An eyewitness who came across the fallen tree warned it was hidden on a bend and needed professional help to move it.
Elsewhere coastal walkers were out in force at Porthleven, traditionally one of the most dramatic spots from which to watch the massive waves pound the coastline.
St Michael’s Mount in Penzance Bay was also in the eye of the storm for a while and on Cornwall’s north coast, Portreath took a pounding.
The storm, which followed record-breaking high temperatures at the end of last month, meant an enforced speed restriction imposed on all trains travelling between Plymouth and Penzance until last night.
National Rail said all services between the two stations would be limited to 50mph.
There were no reports yesterday of any injuries among the coastal storm watchers, but police warned people to take care.
“Members of the public are urged to be very prudent, not to put themselves at risk at coastal, beach or in rural areas,” a spokesman said.