Storm Eunice may have already blown through the region, but it has left a trail of damage in its wake which is still affecting key areas and roads across the UK. Many remain without power, the clean-up operation is ongoing, and a key road through Bristol City Centre was closed for the majority of today.
Lewins Mead, the section of road that runs from Broad Quay to the St James Barton roundabout (the Bearpit), was closed by police yesterday afternoon after something fell off a building. Traffic-monitoring site Inrix reported that debris was "falling from a tall building into the road".
First Bus had warned this afternoon that the key route would remain closed "until further notice", with the possibility of the closure lasting until Monday, February 21. However, in an update shared shortly before 5pm, police have since confirmed that it has reopened sooner than expected.
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In a message on its website earlier, First Bus wrote: "Colston Avenue and Lewins Mead in central Bristol is currently closed and will remain fully closed until further notice and could be extended to Monday 21st February. This is in order for repairs to be carried out to buildings due to [Friday's] high winds."
The bus operator also listed a number of other diversions as a consequence of Storm Eunice, including in central Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, and across the West of England. Scroll down for the list of diversions from First Bus, correct as of 3pm.
Avon and Somerset Police has since confirmed that Lewins Mead is now open again. It tweeted: "Engineers have finished inspecting storm damage on LEWINS MEAD (A38) and deemed the road safe to reopen. Thank you for everyone’s patience while this important work was carried out."
In response to a passenger on Twitter, First Bus also confirmed that services affected by the closure are now back on normal route.
Weston-super-Mare bus diversions
Services 2, 4 and 6: From Marine Parade journeys will operate via Ellenborough Park North, Walliscote Road terminating on Station Road.
Service 3: Towards Worle: will operate the length of Walliscote Road then Station Road (where driver reliefs will occur) then Fox Den Road and normal route from Locking Road
Towards Searle Crescent: will operate the reverse of the above
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Please note Service 3, while on diversion, will not stop at the Railway Station – customers for Service 3 should walk to Station Road to continue their journey
Service 5: Towards Worle: from Neva Road will operate via Station Road, Walliscote Road then Ellenborough Park North – re-commencing normal route at Winter Gardens
Towards Hutton: will operate the reverse of the above
Service 7: Towards Worle: from Neva Road will operate via Station Road, Walliscote Road then Ellenborough Park North – re-commencing normal route at Winter Gardens
Towards Haywood Village: will operate the reverse of the above
Service 20: Will terminate and re-commence at Station Road
West of England bus diversions
Service 1: Due to the closure of Toll Road in Weston and all diversion routes also being blocked we have had to take the difficult decision to suspend Service 1 until a practical solution can be found to re-commence safe operation.
Due to storm damage the bus hub and Oxford Street are currently closed
Services 2, 4 and 6: From Marine Parade journeys will operate via Ellenborough Park North, Walliscote Road terminating on Station Road.
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Service 3: Towards Worle: will operate the length of Walliscote Road then Station Road (where driver reliefs will occur) then Fox Den Road and normal route from Locking Road
Towards Searle Crescent: will operate the reverse of the above
Please note Service 3, while on diversion, will not stop at the Railway Station – customers for Service 3 should walk to Station Road to continue their journey
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Service 5: Towards Worle: from Neva Road will operate via Station Road, Walliscote Road then Ellenborough Park North – re-commencing normal route at Winter Gardens
Towards Hutton: will operate the reverse of the above
Service 7: Towards Worle: from Neva Road will operate via Station Road, Walliscote Road then Ellenborough Park North – re-commencing normal route at Winter Gardens
Towards Haywood Village: will operate the reverse of the above
Service 20: Will terminate and re-commence at Station Road
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