A wild weekend... but worse is to come

Town hall bosses today said the authority was doing all it could to protect Blackpool as fierce storms continue to batter the coast.
Broken landmark: Gale-force winds have ripped off a section of the tram depot at the bottom of Squires Gate Lane in Blackpool, scattering insulating material over a wide area.Broken landmark: Gale-force winds have ripped off a section of the tram depot at the bottom of Squires Gate Lane in Blackpool, scattering insulating material over a wide area.
Broken landmark: Gale-force winds have ripped off a section of the tram depot at the bottom of Squires Gate Lane in Blackpool, scattering insulating material over a wide area.

Part of the roof of the Starr Gate tram depot, which was opened in 2011 at a cost of £20m, was left wrecked as high winds battered buildings across the town.

And today weather experts warned more severe weather is on the way.

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Coun Simon Blackburn, leader of Blackpool Council said: “Over the last few days our officers have been working with the police and the fire service to keep a close eye on the forecasts and to react to every issue caused by the strong weather.

“No matter how painstakingly buildings and street furniture are designed, and no matter how solidly they are fixed down, severe gales and Storm Force 10 winds, yards away from the Irish Sea are capable of damaging anything.

“On Sunday we secured the roof of the tram depot, made the area safe and re-opened the Promenade. We will now continue to keep a close eye on all buildings throughout the stormy weather expected for the rest of the week.”

Yesterday, at around 8am, part of the outer wall on a house in Burlington Road, South Shore, collapsed damaging a kitchen extension, with fire crews called to isolate electrics and gas to make the building safe.

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Forecasters from the Met Office said weather conditions were set to ease today, but a yellow weather warning would be in place tomorrow with gusts touching 75mph expected.

Mark Wilson, of the Met Office said: “Today is going to much colder with the whole of the UK in colder air.

“There will be heavy showers, which could turn wintry.

“I would expect temperatures to reach about five to six degrees. Things change quite significantly on Wednesday with a deep area of low pressure with strong winds and heavy rain in the evening across Blackpool.

“It looks like we could be expecting winds touching 70 to 75 mph. People should be aware of the weather conditions in particular if they have travel plans.

“Conditions should ease into Thursday and Friday.”