Main Road Blocked by Fallen Tree After Storm Bert

A significant tree fell onto a vehicle, obstructing a section of a primary thoroughfare, following Storm Bert’s impact on the East of England. An observer reported witnessing the incident on the A6 in Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire, around 10:20 GMT. Bedford Borough Council confirmed the road’s closure persisted between Radwell Road and New Road. Ashton Lamb, a local resident, stated that the tree struck a car, leaving the driver “shock up,” and expressed concern that the intense winds could lead to additional tree falls in the vicinity. She further mentioned that fire crews subsequently arrived to dismantle the tree. Cara Sigsworth, a passenger traveling on the A6, observed the tree ahead, noting it was “covering the entire road” near the Queen’s Head Inn. She informed the BBC, “It came down onto a car, but I don’t think anyone was hurt.” She also indicated that they managed to exit the area via an alternative route. This incident occurred as the council reported managing multiple fallen trees throughout the region, including one on Perkins Road, Bedford, which had necessitated a road closure. The council specified it was awaiting an out-of-hours contractor for its removal. Additionally, trees had fallen on Swineshead Road between Riseley and Swineshead, Felmersham Road, and North End, Bletsoe. Motorists were advised to steer clear of these locations and to “take extra care.” National Rail announced that “multiple fallen trees damaging electrical overhead wires” between Broxbourne and Audley End in Essex had resulted in delays, cancellations, or revisions to services on the Greater Anglia and Stansted Express line. The statement indicated that train services operating between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport, as well as between Stratford and Audley End, experienced impacts. It further noted that the disruption was anticipated to persist until 15:00. It was stated that “Teams are trying to resource rail replacement vehicles to operate to cover alterations and cancellations.” Prior to this, Chiltern Railways services also experienced interruptions due to a tree obstructing the line between Aylesbury and Princes Risborough. In response to elevated river levels following rainfall from Storm Bert, the government issued several flood alerts for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. These alerts encompassed the Bear Brook and its tributaries in the Aylesbury area, Buckinghamshire; the River Great Ouse and Riseley Brook in Bedfordshire; the River Ivel in Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire; the River Kym in Bedfordshire; and the River Ouzel in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. For updates on Beds, Herts, and Bucks news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.