Storm Henk disrupts roads and rail across South East

Rail lines were blocked by trees and some travellers authorised to book taxis after Storm Henk caused disruption across the South East.

South Western Railway warned of "widespread disruption", Southern asked customers not to use its network and Southeastern reported debris on the line and diversions in Kent.

Trees came down on to railway lines in Wadhurst, Farnham and near Maidstone.

On the roads, strong winds closed the QEII bridge at the Dartford Crossing.

The A21 main route in East Sussex was closed because of flooding and a tree which fell part way on to the carriageway and landed on overhead power lines.

National Highways said contractors were working through the evening to try to clear the flood water, but there was currently no estimate for when the road would reopen because water was running off nearby fields.

As all three rail operators warned of delays and speed restrictions, South Western Railway said in a statement: "Due to widespread disruption caused by the extreme weather, our customers are authorised to book their own taxi to travel anywhere across the South Western Railway network."

Southern said all routes faced disruption because of "multiple weather-related incidents across the entire network".

Earlier, the Met Office issued a yellow wind warning for Kent, Sussex and Surrey and a yellow rain warning across Sussex, with warnings of delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.

Some DFDS Channel crossings were cancelled because of high winds and services from Dover to Dunkirk were operating with delays.

In Hellingly, where the Cuckoo Trail flooded, resident Serena Schellenberg said: "I'm aware there are more and more extreme weather events around the world and we're noticing it here."

Water in her garden was more than knee-deep and houses in the area were lined with sandbags.

River levels were expected to rise in Sussex, with flooding forecast for the Cuckmere, Bull, Adur and Uck.

In Kent, flooding was forecast for the River Beult, the upper River Stour and the lower River Medway, which could see low-lying land and roads between Yalding and Allington affected. The Lees in Yalding was flooded on Tuesday.

Surrey rivers on alert included the Thames, Mole, Cranleigh Waters and Chertsey Bourne, with possible flooding of low-lying land and roads in the Sunbury area.

River levels are expected to remain high over the next few days.

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