WARRINGTON was hit for the first time during the night by the high winds which have been causing
havoc in other parts of the country for several days.
As usual the main impact was on the roads – with hundreds of people delayed getting to work as
traffic piled-up on approach roads to the town following the closure of the M6 Thelwall Viaduct.
Police said three lorries overturned in high winds on the viaduct at about 4am today – two on the
southbound carriageway and one on the north.
As a result the viaduct was completely closed and police said it could be closed for the rest of
the day.
Fire crews from Warrington braved gale-force winds on the viaduct to release one driver who was
trapped in his cab.
Although the three drivers involved were badly shaken, none was seriously hurt.
The Runcorn-Widnes Silver Jubilee bridge was also closed to high-sided vehicles, bringing more chaos
to local roads as drivers sought other routes.
The message from the police was: “Stay at home unless you really have to travel.”
Environment Agency chiefs issued a flood warning in respect of the Mersey at Warrington, although
there were no reports of actual flooding.
Police said a number of trees had been blown down, blocking roads, during the night. But local authority
workmen swiftly cleared roads.
Traffic congestion appeared to be worse on the south side of the borough.
There was a co-ordinated, multi-agency operation across the county to combat the effects of the weather.
Windspeeds of more than 60mph have been recorded near Warrington.
High winds are expected to continue throughout the day, although it is expected they will gradually
lessen.
