First Bus has extended the cancellation of all services in and around Bristol to protect drivers and passengers from Storm Eunice.
It announced yesterday that buses would not be running today (Friday, February 17) during the brunt of the storm, initially advising that services would be suspended until at least 1pm this afternoon. However, it has since confirmed that bus services will not be resuming until tomorrow (Saturday) due to continued safety concerns.
The fierce storm made landfall in the early hours of the morning, and by this afternoon had paved a path of destruction with trees uprooted across roads, roof tiles ripped from homes and debris left strewn across streets and gardens.
READ MORE: Live updates as Bristol braces for Storm Eunice
The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for wind between the hours of 7am and midday today, affecting areas including Avonmouth and Severn Beach, which has since been downgraded to an amber warning. However, strong winds continue to batter the Bristol region.
Eunice was declared a 'major incident' in Avon and Somerset and schools have been closed today, as well as major attractions, libraries and park cafes. Bin collections have also been postponed.
In a statement tweeted shortly before 3pm, a First Bus spokesperson said: "All services (INCLUDING BATH) are suspended until tomorrow. Trees and power cables have fallen across routes, plus damaged buildings are making areas unsafe. For the safety of customers, other road users, and staff, we feel this is the sensible decision.
"We’d like to thank all our customers for their understanding and look forward to being able to run again tomorrow. Please check [our website] later today for details of the first services for Saturday."
The initial decision to cancel services was made because a storm with a red weather warning can cause flying debris resulting in danger to life, damage to buildings and homes and road closures due to fallen trees or power lines, according to the Met Office.
A First Bus spokesperson said yesterday: "A storm with a red weather warning can cause flying debris resulting in danger to life, damage to buildings and homes and road closures are likely due to fallen trees or power lines.
"We appreciate that this will cause disruption to those needing to make essential journeys but the safety of our staff, customers and other road users is paramount."
In other storm travel news, National Highways had to close the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge connecting Bristol with South Wales, as well as the M48 Severn Bridge, "for the first time".
People travelling in caravans and motorbikes were urged to avoid both bridges, as well as certain stretches of the M5 motorway.
READ MORE: Storm triggers M5 'do not travel' warning and M4 closure
A statement from National Highways yesterday read: "This will lead to dangerous driving conditions for vulnerable vehicles with exceptional sidewinds and wind-blown debris with Essential Travel Only advised. This National Highways Red Alert is embedded within a National Highways Amber Alert which runs alongside this enhanced status.
"There is a particularly high risk that high-sided vehicles and other 'vulnerable' vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over and should not travel on the following sections of roads."
Police also cordoned off part of Lewins Mead this afternoon (Friday) due to storm safety concerns.
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