Beth Doherty
We will continue to update this article with the latest updates, travel news and closures as storm Eunice hits south Wiltshire and West Hampshire.
You can update us with any disruption across west Hampshire and South Wiltshire by texting or Whatsapping us on 07441444826.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to only call 999 for Storm Eunice damage where life is at risk.
18th February 2022, 16.00: At present, all local bus and train services remain suspended.
If you are travelling by car, check that your route is clear from fallen trees here.
18th February 2022, 13.00: Off-the-scale wind speeds are being recorded by the anemometer at the top of Salisbury Cathedral’s spire.
The needle can be seen recording wind speeds over the 100mph limit on the anemometer.
18th February 2022, 12.45: “Only call 999 in an emergency,” says Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Over the course of the morning, Fire Control has received dozens of 999 calls, reporting fallen trees and building damage. However, firefighters can only help when people are in danger, or electrics are involved and creating a potential fire hazard.
Group Manager Darren Langdown said: “Our worry is that, while we are answering 999 calls for things where we can’t help, that could delay a response to a call where the situation is life-threatening.
“We would ask everyone to please consider whether there is a genuine danger before calling 999; fallen trees should be reported to the local authority, and damage to your home is something that needs to be resolved with a contractor and your insurance.”
Find out who to call for storm damage here.
18th February 2022, 12.30: South Western Railway and Great Western Railway suspend services across their networks.
Customers are being advised not to travel as services are cancelled across the network due to “a large number of fallen trees blocking lines across the route”.
18th February 2022, 11.10: Salisbury Reds have announced all local bus services will be suspended today (18th February 2022) due to “adverse weather conditions”.
A spokesperson for Salisbury Reds said, “The safety of our customers and colleagues is of the utmost importance and we are regularly reviewing all suspended routes.”
18th February 2022, 10.45: Salisbury Reds have suspended the following services until further notice:
- X5
- X7 / X7R
- 44
- 66
- Stagecoach operated Activ8 journeys
The r8 service is also only able to run between Salisbury and Wilton Market due to a downed telephone cable, meaning Ditchampton will not be served.
All other routes are still running at this time but check here for updates before you travel.
18th February 2022, 10.30: Wiltshire Creative has made the decision to close its buildings today (Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury Arts Centre) due to the weather warnings and adverse conditions.
Public activities which were due to take place in both buildings today are currently being cancelled and all participants are being contacted.
A spokesperson said, “We hope this doesn’t spoil anyone’s plans. Stay safe and we’ll see you soon!”
18th February 2022, 10.20: Stagecoach bus services suspended due to severe weather conditions.
Stagecoach bus service across Hampshire, Surrey & West Sussex have been suspended until 1500.
Check back their website for further updates throughout the day.
18th February 2022, 08.25: A listener has texted in to let us know that Alderbury Prep School has closed.
18th February 2022, 08.26: The cafés and pubs in the Market Place have secured their outside tables, chairs and umbrellas.
Listener Anna Doherty said, “It is building up outside. I know it is a cliche but it is the calm before the storm. The wind is getting stronger and it is starting to rain.”
18th February 2022, 07.40: The 8.40am service from Salisbury to Cardiff Central has been cancelled, so has the 9.34am service from Salisbury to Portsmouth Harbour.
18th February 2022, 07.30: The weather warning for parts of south Wiltshire has been changed to Red – the highest level.
Wiltshire Council is now advising people throughout the county only to make essential journeys today.
All schools and early years settings in the county have been advised to close, and the council is working with its waste contractors regarding waste collections and household recycling centres – for updates, people should follow @wiltscouncil on Twitter.
17th February 2022, 17.45: Wyvern St Edmund’s School in Laverstock Salisbury will be closed.
17th February 2022, 17.40: According to Wiltshire Council waste and recycling collections are still due to take place on Friday as scheduled.
“We advise that you don’t leave your bins out overnight tonight, but please take extra care and put them out in the morning before 7am and after they have been emptied please take your bins back in as soon as you’re able to as this limits the opportunity for them to fall and cause disruption.
Please also consider whether you need to present your waste and recycling.”
17th February 2022, 17.34: Avon Valley Academy in Durrington and The Trafalgar School in Downton will be closed with Salisbury Reds confirming that no school busses will be running to these schools.
17th February 2022, 17.28: St Marks Pre-School will be closed.
The Pre-school announced the news on their Facebook page:
“The local authority has advised settings should take the following actions: ‘All mobile classrooms and other similar non-permanent buildings should be evacuated and any non-essential outside activities should be restricted.’
“As the pre-school building falls into the category of a mobile classroom and with the location of the building being at the top of the hill and in close proximity to the tall trees, opening the pre-school presents a high risk.
“With the safety of all our children and practitioners at pre-school being our main priority, the pre-school will not be able to open tomorrow, Friday 18th February.”
17th February 2022, 17.00: South Wilts Grammar School have announced they will be closed tomorrow.
A statement on the school website reads: “We have taken the difficult decision to close the physical school site and move to remote learning on Friday 18th February, for all pupils and staff, due to the forecast of high winds of up to 80mph.”
No school bus service will be running to South Wilts Grammar School tomorrow.
17th February 2022, 16.30: The first school closure for tomorrow has been confirmed.
The Burgate School and Sixth Form in Fordingbridge have announced that they will be closed tomorrow as a result of the weather warnings in place due to storm Eunice.
A spokesperson said, “In line with lots of other schools in the local area we are closing school tomorrow due to the high winds because they are going to be at times when students will be travelling to school. Bus companies have already informed us that they are not running, so we have decided in the best interest of our school community to close the school.”
All work for the school day will be set via assignments on Microsoft Teams. If you need any assistance the school asks you email your teachers directly and visit the support guides which can be found here.
17th February 2022, 16.00: National Highways is advising drivers to take care and be prepared for strong gales tomorrow.
Motorists, particularly those driving high-sided HGVS, caravans and motorcycles, are advised to check the weather and driving conditions before setting out on journeys and pay particular attention to exposed locations such as coastal and high lying areas and bridges which could be affected by the high winds.
Road users are being advised to follow messages on any overhead signs and listen to radio updates.
Further information can be found here or by calling the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
David Harber
