Major Road in Norwich Closed Following Tree Fall Amid Strong Winds

A principal road in Norwich has been shut down after a tree toppled during a period of intense winds. The A1056 Ipswich Road is inaccessible in both directions, specifically from Cecil Road to Town Close Road, situated near City College. Norfolk Police reported receiving notification at 03:00 GMT, with officers currently on-site directing traffic. Storm Darragh is forecast to bring additional high winds and heavy rainfall starting Friday afternoon, leading to the issuance of multiple weather warnings. A spokesperson for Norfolk Police further stated, “We are still on scene assisting highways who are working to clear it.” Norfolk Highways indicated an expectation that the tree would be removed by approximately mid-afternoon on Friday. First Bus in Norwich communicated via social media that its 36, 36A, and 37 services were experiencing disruptions. The company confirmed that buses were being diverted along Newmarket Road before rejoining the unaffected segments of Ipswich Road. The statement concluded with, “We apologise for any inconvenience.” Concurrently, the Environment Agency issued a caution regarding flood risks across the county, noting the presence of 22cm (8.5in) of water on the flood-prone Welney Wash Road in west Norfolk. Footpaths and minor roads adjacent to tidal rivers within the Broads region were anticipated to experience some minor flooding for several days. On Friday morning, powerful winds generated significant waves and spray that overtopped coastal areas at Hunstanton, alongside minor flooding observed on coastal routes between Caister and Gorleston, including Great Yarmouth. The Environment Agency remarked, “Tides are expected to be higher than usual due to the forecast weather conditions,” and advised, “Take care on coastal roads and footpaths, and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger.” For updates on Norfolk news, information is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Further details regarding its approach to external linking are accessible.