Power cuts as July storms rage

A toppled tree caused rush-hour chaos in Western Avenue, Cardiff

More than 900 homes in Wales were left without electricity early on Thursday after strong winds.

At one stage about 2,500 homes had no power, and engineers worked through the night to restore supplies.

Worst affected areas were around Cardiff, Swansea and the valleys, and Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, and Crickhowell, Powys.

Valley Line trains in Cardiff were suspended after a crane toppled over near the line in Cathays.

There were three high voltage faults across south Wales, but power was returned to affected homes by lunchtime on Thursday.

St Albans School in Pontypool was forced to close until Tuesday after wind blew the electrics and rain leaked through the roof.

Police and fire brigades across Wales said there were no new serious weather-related incidents.

This damaged crane in Cardiff closed a nearby rail line

Dyfed-Powys suffered problems with trees being blown down, but there were no major roads blocked.

Planes diverted

Fallen trees caused problems on the A458 at Foel, Powys, and on the A44 near the Powys border with Herefordshire, before they were cleared.

A car was driven into a tree which fell into the road in Leckwith, Cardiff, early on Thursday, and fire crews gave first aid to a couple inside.

Four planes were diverted from Bristol to Cardiff International Airport as winds buffeted south west England too. Some 800 passengers on My Travel and First Choice flights then continued their journey by road.

The Cardiff rail problems led to the line being closed between Heath and Cardiff Queen Street, and it was expected to remain shut all day.

Arriva Trains said this affected services between Cardiff and Coryton, Caerphilly, Bargoed and Rhymney.

Trains were running between these stations and Heath, then a bus service operated between Heath and Cardiff Queen Street in both directions.

Passengers were advised that there could be delays and cancellations, and they should allow extra time for their journeys, particularly during peak periods.

The crane that caused the problems had not yet been removed because of high winds, and parts of Crwys Road, Richard Street and Albany Road were all closed.

Weather forecasters predicted another day of heavy rain and strong winds in parts of Wales and England, with west and north Wales expected to be hit worst.

Gusts reached 90mph in Snowdonia on Wednesday night.