Storm Barra: Travel disruption, closures and precautions in place amid weather warning

  • ITV Cymru Wales report

The Met Office have warned that the second named storm of the season, Storm Barra, is continuing to move in with yellow weather warnings in place across Wales. 

Coming from the Atlantic on Tuesday, gusts of 45-50mph are expected widely, with 60-70mph in exposed coastal locations. 

Urging people to stay #WeatherAware, the Met Office have warned that “very strong winds” are expected as Storm Barra continues to move eastwards across the UK. 

Some of the highest winds recorded so far include Aberdaron in Gwynedd at 69mph.

  • Need to travel over the coming days? 

Transport For Wales is urging customers to check before they travel from Tuesday onwards as Storm Barra is due to impact on the rail network.

Ensuring safety comes first, Network Rail have put a 40mph speed restriction on most lines in Wales. 

A revised ‘emergency timetable’ has also been introduced to keep Wales moving and passengers are encouraged to only travel if essential.

Explaining the emergency timetable in further detail, TfW Director for Planning and Performance, Colin Lea, said: "As a minimum, all customers need to check before travelling on Tuesday and Wednesday as an emergency timetable will replace our current timetable.

"This means a significant amount of our services will either operate at different times, take much longer to reach destinations, or may not operate at all.

"The safety of our customers is at the heart of everything we do and while we understand this may be inconvenient, intense winds and extreme weather patterns mean we have to make these temporary changes. We thank all customers in advance."

Some ferries have already been cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Credit: PA

And if you’re thinking of travelling by ferry, you might also want to look out for disruptions. 

Some ferries from West Wales to Ireland are no longer sailing. 

Stena Line confirmed on Tuesday that two trips from Fishguard to Rosslare were cancelled due to adverse weather caused by Storm Barra. 

  • Will events be likely to go ahead over the coming days? 

Some events across Wales are already taking precautions as a result of the weather warnings. 

On Tuesday, Swansea’s Winter Wonderland took the decision not to open. 

Customers who have purchased ice-skating tickets will be automatically refunded.

Swansea Waterfront Winterland cancelled their event on Tuesday. Credit: Facebook/ Waterfront Winterland

Covid test centres could also close at short-notice, one health board has warned.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have said the weather conditions may impact on the opening times of Covid-19 testing units across North Wales.

  • How does Storm Barra compare to Storm Arwen?  

Ten days ago, Storm Arwen caused disruption and affected power supplies to around one million homes. Its gusts reached almost a hundred miles per hour. 

Although Storm Barra’s strongest winds are not expected to be as fierce, like Storm Arwen, it’s already caused quite the disruption. 

Sailors rescued during storm grateful to be alive thanks to 'fantastic' RNLI
Mum without electricity for two days as hundreds suffer Storm Arwen power cuts

According to the Western Power Distribution, there are currently 247 properties in Wales without power. 

In addition, Natural Resources Wales have issued seven flood Alerts across the country. 

Various road closures have also been issued due to fallen trees from Pembrokeshire to Anglesey.