Storm Henk: Strong winds cause travel disruption with road closures and rail services suspended

  • Meridian
Traffic is being held at the Dartford Crossing due to 'exceptionally strong winds'. Credit: ITV Meridian

Strong winds from the UK's Storm Henk are causing major disruption on roads and railways across the south east.

Drivers are being warned of long delays at the Dartford Crossing as traffic has been stopped from using the bridge due to 'excessively strong winds' from the storm.

Some roads have been left impassable due to fallen trees, and the majority of services on the South Western Railway network have been suspended due to the conditions.

National Highways South-East has said traffic remains stopped on Tuesday afternoon (2 January).

People travelling southbound are due to be diverted through one of the northbound tunnels.

However, drivers are being warned of two-hour delays on the approach to the QEII Bridge.

Posting on X, a National Highways spokesperson said: "Traffic remains stopped on the #A282 #QEIIBridge southbound at #DartfordCrossing.

"This is due to excessively strong winds on the crossing.

"We will shortly be implementing a full closure & diverting traffic through one of the northbound tunnels.

"Severe delays remain on approach."

Wind speeds will continue to be monitored through the afternoon and into the evening.

National Highways has also confirmed that the Sheppey Crossing A249 is also closed in both directions due to high wind speeds.

A fallen tree blocks the line on the South Western Railway network. Credit: Network Rail Wessex

People planning to travel by train are urged not to attempt to travel on the South Western Railway network due to the severe weather.

A South Western Railway spokesperson said: "Due to severe weather train services running across the whole South Western Railway network may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day."Due to high winds leading to multiple trees and other obstructions blocking the railway across the network, please do not attempt to travel until further notice."There are at least seven trees down and a roof on our tracks, so we have had to suspend services south and west of Woking, south of Guildford and west of Staines."Teams are working hard to clear the lines as soon as possible, but we are expecting extensive disruption throughout the evening."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Due to multiple trees blocking the railway across the SWR network, the majority of services will be suspended until further notice.

"You are advised not to travel at this time."

A Thameslink spokesperson said: "Due to multiple weather related incidents across the entire network, all routes will be affected by disruption of up to 90 minutes. "Our current advice is Do Not Travel unless absolutely necessary."