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A249 Sheppey Crossing shut due to Storm Ciara winds

10:51, 09 February 2020

updated: 12:54, 09 February 2020

Storm Ciara has closed another crossing due to strong winds.

The A249 Sheppey Crossing has been shut in both directions to prevent any accidents.

Queues at the Kingsferry Bridge, Sheppey, caused by temporarty traffic lights. Picture: Colin Johnson (28755055)
Queues at the Kingsferry Bridge, Sheppey, caused by temporarty traffic lights. Picture: Colin Johnson (28755055)

But the closure has caused huge tailbacks of vehicles trying to use the alternative Kingsferry Bridge.

There are temporary traffic lights there around a huge mobile generator which has been parked on the road before Christmas.

It is providing emergency power for the electric motors which lift the bridge after a vital power connector failed.

Engineers are having to build a replacement part from scratch because the bridge - which will be 60 in April - is so old.

The Rev Colin Johnson was caught in the traffic jam as he drove back to his home in minster after performing a Sunday morning service at Borden, near Sittingbourne.

Tree down over a fence at Priory Hill Holiday Park, Leysdown (28755058)
Tree down over a fence at Priory Hill Holiday Park, Leysdown (28755058)

He said: "The tailbacks are tremendous."

A maple tree also crashed down onto the roof a car parked at the back of the Forge near Borden church during the service.

Part of a tree has damaged a fence at Priory Hill Holiday Park, Leysdown.

The wind has also knocked out power to 278 homes in Queenborough and Rushenden.

UK Power Networks turned off the electricity just before noon for "safety reasons" after engineers were called to a fallen power line.

The power company has sent a text to residents. It explained: "We became aware of the fault at 11.49am.

"The cause is an isolation for safety due to grounded cables in the Queenborough ME11 5 area.

"We are aware of the issue and will assign an engineer to work on it as soon as possible. It a priority for us to give you a time-frame for your power to be back on. As soon as this is available, we'll let you know. We'll be in touch when we have more information."

If you have a power cut, text POWER followed by your full postcode to 80876

Traffic has been held at the Dartford Crossing, for a full round up of closures due to Storm Ciara click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheerness.

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