Storm Henk: Orwell Bridge in Ipswich stays open despite amber warning for 60mph winds in East Anglia

The Orwell Bridge in Suffolk will stay open despite an amber weather warning for wind being issued by the Met Office.

Storm Henk is expected to bring very strong winds to a significant area in the south of England, with gusts of up to 60mph predicted in East Anglia, the south Midlands and the south of England.

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning - meaning "injuries and danger to life is likely" due to flying debris, and large waves in coastal areas.

But National Highways, which manages the UK's major roads, said just before 4pm that the Orwell Bridge in Ipswich would remain open but with a reduced speed limit.

A spokesman had earlier said: "Orwell Bridge wind speeds are predicted to be 45mph to 50mph, with the main risk period between 4pm and 8pm. It's likely the speed limit on the bridge will reduce from 60mph to 40mph during this period."

In Northamptonshire, hundreds of people have been evacuated from a riverside holiday park as Storm Henk threatens to overwhelm dozens of lodges and caravans.

Billing Aquadrome has been forced to use its flood sirens for the first time as it attempts to move around 1,000 residents and holidaymakers off the site.

Analysis - ITV News Anglia meteorologist Chris Page

We've already seen gusts of up to 80mph at Exeter Airport as this storm has moved eastwards across the UK during the course of Monday.

Meanwhile, in our region, gusts of up to 61mph were recorded at Luton Airport at around 4.30pm.

Earlier in the day we thought Storm Henk would travel gradually north-east in our region, from Bedfordshire into Cambridgeshire, and then across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

But in fact it has tracked a little further south, towards London and the Home Counties, meaning that Norfolk will escape the very worst of the weather, though Suffolk, Essex and Hertfordshire will still see high winds.

The wind speeds we're expecting could mean travel disruption across the region, possible damage to buildings and homes, and possible risk to life from flying debris.

The weather warning covers a section of the UK stretching from the south west, via south Wales, through Oxfordshire, north London, and into the East of England.

The QEII bridge at Dartford was also closed to traffic at about 4pm, with delays having already reached an hour for motorists.

A yellow warning for wind has also been issued for the south of England and the Midlands while a yellow warning for rain covers the south west, Wales, and the Midlands, as well as parts of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and as far north as Manchester and Leeds.

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