Hundreds of flights cancelled at major UK airport in Storm Bert travel chaos

HUNDREDS of flights have been cancelled at Heathrow Airport after Storm Bert caused travel chaos in the UK.

Storm Bert continued to spark major disruption today with trains axed and roads closed across the country.

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Wind warnings remain in place with gusts of up to 70mph forecast for exposed areas issued by the Met Office.

The powerful gales have caused flights to be cancelled and trees have fallen on railway lines causing lengthy delays.

Over 200 flights have been cancelled so far at Heathrow according to travel data site FlightAware.

In total, more than 300 flights set to depart from UK airports were cancelled during Storm Bert, aviation analytics firm Cirium said.

Train services up and down the country have also been suspended due to flooding and fallen trees caused by Storm Bert.

Great Western Railway (GWR) advised passengers not to travel, external and said tickets would be valid on Monday or Tuesday.

National Highways said flooding meant the northbound M32 in Bristol was shut between junction 1 and the M4.

Meanwhile, Greater Anglia which operates trains from London Liverpool Street to Stanstead Airport, cancelled 52 services on Sunday afternoon as fallen trees damaged the railway’s overhead electric wires.

The popular Winter Wonderland festive event in London has also been forced to close due to safety concerns, along with the eight Royal Parks.

The parks affected include Hyde Park, St James’s Park, Green Park, Regent’s Park, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Kensington Gardens and Brompton Cemetery.

It comes as more than 200 flood alerts are in place today as the deadly Storm Bert continues to batter the UK.

Locals in Pontypridd, South Wales, awoke to find their front gardens underwater and cars completely submerged on the street.

Persistent rainfall overnight saw the River Taff burst its banks and cause chaos in the town.

An entire bridge under construction was washed away amid the havoc overnight.

Meanwhile in in Cymmer, South Wales, shocking pictures show the destruction yet another landslide has inflicted.

This comes after five children and five adults had to be rescued from a similar natural disaster yesterday.

Elsewhere, a mum watched in horror as her 11-month-old baby became trapped inside a car sinking in raging floodwaters.

At least three people have died so far since Storm Bert made landfall.

The Met Office have said there is potential for fast flowing or deep floodwater to cause more danger to life after heavy downpours and howling winds swept across the nation.

A yellow wind warning is currently force for large parts of England, with gusts of up to 65mph expected in some places.

Another yellow warning for rain remains in place for much of south-west of England, where the Met Office is warning some communities may be cut off by flooded roads.

Dozens of red flood warnings have also been issued, meaning flooding is expected and residents and business owners should “act now”.

Met Office weather forecasters have warned Britons affected by the storms to keep their eyes fixed on UK weather warnings as they could change at the last minute.

STORM CHAOS

Forecasters issued a host of weather warnings today covering most of the UK from tip to toe, with alerts for wind and rain.

In total, there are five warnings in place at present, each of which is set to last into the night.

The longest-lasting is the rain warning for southwest England, which is in place until 11.45pm tonight.

The others, one for wind over the southern coast, another for the southeastern coast, one for wind covering Northern Ireland and a rain warning covering western Scotland, all expire by 11pm.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today, and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain.

“While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales, but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day.

“The strong southerly winds continue today and warnings are in place for central, southern and eastern England, Northern Ireland and western Scotland where gusts could peak at 60 mph and could even reach more than 70 mph along some exposed coasts.

“Warnings could still be amended, possibly at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”

Heathrow Airport have been contacted for comment by The Sun.