Storm Amy Hammers UK with Record Winds and Pressure, Causing Major Road and Rail Disruption

Storm Amy has brought widespread chaos to the UK’s transport network, with torrential rain and winds over 100mph hitting large parts of the country. Thousands of homes were left without power, rail services ground to a halt, and key sections of the UK’s road network — particularly in England and Scotland — were closed or severely affected.

A yellow weather warning for high winds was in place for much of the UK on Saturday, with an amber alert covering parts of northern Scotland. The storm has already claimed one life — a man in his 40s in the Republic of Ireland — in what police described as a “weather-related incident.”

Road Closures and Hazards Across England

In England, the storm led to road closures, fallen trees, and vehicle restrictions on key routes. National Highways issued multiple alerts for major roads, including:

• The A66 in the North East was closed in both directions between Scotch Corner and Brough due to overturned vehicles and debris.

• Sections of the M62, particularly over the Pennines, were closed to high-sided vehicles because of crosswinds exceeding 80mph.

• The A1(M) and A19 in North Yorkshire experienced lane closures and speed restrictions due to surface water and strong gusts.

• Numerous A-roads in the South West, including the A30 and A38, were affected by fallen trees, making travel hazardous and in some places impassable.

  
  

Local councils across Devon, Cornwall, and Cumbria reported more than 100 fallen trees combined by Saturday morning, with emergency crews working continuously to clear debris and restore access to key routes.

The Met Office had warned drivers to expect difficult conditions, especially on exposed routes and bridges, advising motorists to delay travel unless absolutely necessary.

Transport Infrastructure Hit Nationwide

Travel at Glasgow Central was virtually non-existent as the storm took hold

The storm’s impact on public transport was extensive:

• ScotRail confirmed around 80 trees had fallen onto lines across its network, forcing the suspension of multiple services. Routes between Glasgow and Mallaig, Oban, and Wemyss Bay were still closed by Saturday evening.

• All services from Glasgow Central Station were suspended until the early afternoon.

• In Northern Ireland, the rail network was halted on Friday due to widespread obstructions, with air passengers also advised to check for delays.

• Ferry services across the Irish Sea and between the Scottish mainland and islands were cancelled due to dangerous sea conditions.

• In England, high-sided vehicles were turned away from key river crossings and elevated roads, including the Dartford Crossing, Severn Bridge, and sections of the M6 Toll, amid wind warnings.

In London, all eight Royal Parks remained closed on Saturday and were subject to delayed reopening on Sunday, pending safety inspections.

“The safety of visitors and staff is our top priority,” read a statement from the Royal Parks authority.

Widespread Power Cuts Across the UK

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it was working to restore power to around 34,000 customersby Saturday evening. In Northern Ireland, approximately 9,000 homes were still without electricity, and hundreds more were affected in Wales.

Power disruption in England was more localised but still significant, particularly in Cumbria, Lancashire, and parts of the Midlands, where emergency teams were dealing with both floodwater and damaged lines.