Storm Gerrit batters UK as drivers face flooded roads and heavy winds

Festive travel plans have been plunged into chaos by Storm Gerrit, with trains and ferries cancelled as snow, heavy rain and gales hit the UK. Drivers face flooded roads and heavy winds as Storm Gerrit continues to batter the UK. The Met Office has issued nine weather alerts in force across the UK, in warnings of widespread disruption which came to pass on Wednesday as powerful winds and flooding wrought havoc on public transport. Flooding on the West Coast main line brought trains to a standstill, hitting routes between Edinburgh and Manchester airport, and Glasgow and Birmingham. Elsewhere, East Midlands Railway trains have been cancelled for the rest of the day, while a signalling fault shut down travel between Luton and London. Watch more here at Independent TV https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: https://www.youtube.com/c/theindependent/videos Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB