Storm causes travel chaos

Friday 12 December 2014

Last night’s big storm has been causing travel chaos across the Island this morning.

Commuters are facing bedlam on the roads after a night of severe gale force nine winds brought down trees and although the weather has started to calm down ferries have been cancelled today because it’s still so rough at sea.

Condor has cancelled its fast ferry sailings to the UK and freight will be late into the Island because of the bad weather moving up the English Channel.

Condor Captain Fran Collins said: “Unfortunately, the first big winter storm of the year has arrived just before Christmas and we have had to amend some services because safety is always our primary concern.

“We are doing everything possible to keep our passengers and freight customers up to date and to keep our Islands connected and supplied. We advise all passengers to keep an eye on the sailing updates on our website or twitter feed.”

Although there were no accidents or damage to vehicles the company says it would have been an uncomfortable crossing for some passengers sailing in rough seas from St Malo to Jersey on the Condor Express yesterday morning. She only set sail once the Captain had checked she would be within safe limits throughout the journey.

The Commodore Goodwill had to wait for the high winds to drop before berthing.

Yesterday the Met Office issued a Red alert - their highest-level warning - and forecast severe gale force nine south-westerly winds would hit the Island sometime between 3 am and 8 am this morning.