Lynette HorsburghNorth West
Network Rail handoutStorm Claudia has continued to cause disruption to roads and rail services across the region.
The railway line between Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly is closed after strong winds blew down trees which damaged overhead power lines, Network Rail said.
The A555 Manchester Airport Relief Road in Stockport has also been closed in both directions between the Bramhall oil terminal junction and the A34 at Handforth due to flooding after “intense rainfall”, the borough council said.
There are no Metrolink services between Bury and Whitefield due to a fallen tree caused by the storm which has been declared a major incident in Monmouth, South Wales, following severe and widespread flooding.
The weather led to visitors being evacuated from Lapland UK’s site in Macclesfield on Friday on only its second day of opening.
Lapland Manchester said the severe weather had led to trees falling which meant that guests had to be evacuated from the site as a precaution.
Trams and trains across the region were cancelled on Friday as lines were blocked or damaged by falling trees.
Network Rail said engineers were working on repair plans at Heald Green which serves Manchester Airport after strong winds brought trees and vegetation down onto equipment providing power to electric trains.
‘Significant damage’
Engineers would have to deal with a train left stranded due to fallen cables before they could start repair work, a spokesperson for Network Rail said.
Darren Miller, infrastructure director for Network Rail’s North West route, apologised to passengers affected.
He said the storm had caused “significant damage” to overhead line equipment across routes in the North West, including the Manchester Airport line.
“While we work on a plan to repair damaged equipment and safely reopen the line, I am urging passengers to please check before they travel with their train operator or with National Rail Enquiries,” he said.
Limited services are running via Alderley Edge and Wilmslow with Metrolink trams also accepting tickets between the airport and Manchester Piccadilly.
