CROSS-SOLENT ferry services have been cancelled due to the forecast strong winds today (Saturday).

Hovertravel services have been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions.

The Red Jet will running a one-boat service until further notice, with sailings from Cowes at 15 minutes past the hour and from Southampton at 45 minutes past the hour.

Wightlink's Lymington to Yarmouth car ferry services have also been cancelled due to the strong winds.

The IW Met Service has issued an amber warning for severe gale to storm-force southwesterly winds.

It said: "Wind gusts of up to 85mph are expected in more exposed locations along western and southern coasts, as well as over the hills, with gusts of up to 65mph in other parts.

"This could lead to structural damage of buildings and property, as well as the risk of tree debris falling, which includes the potential of branches being dislodged and possibly even a few trees being uprooted."

A flood alert has also been issued.

Southern Vectis said passengers should expect delays due to the high winds and debris, with drivers taking extra care on their routes.

Updates will be published here throughout the day.

UPDATE 9.54am: Red Funnel's Red Jet service has been suspended until further notice.

UPDATE 9.57am: Wightlink's Fishbourne to Portsmouth car ferry service is running with delays of 20 minutes.

UPDATE 10.19am: Homes in Northwood have been hit by a power cut this morning. SSE said engineers were working to restore power as soon as possible.

The power cut is reportedly a result of the tops being blown off converters at the electrical sub-station. Technicians are currently on site trying to resolve the issue.

UPDATE 10.57am: Island Wind speeds approaching 110mph are the highest on record, while Southern Vectis have encountered a fallen tree at Calthrope Road in Ryde and some disruption to their services.



 




UPDATE 11.42am: The 10.30am Red Funnel vehicle ferry from Southampton to East Cowes is now expected to depart at 12.00pm, following a 90 minute delay due to adverse weather conditions.

Other car ferry sailings facing a 90 minute delay are the 10.30am, 12.00pm and 1.30pm crossings from East Cowes to Southampton.

UPDATE 12.55pm: Red Jet and Hovertravel services have been cancelled, with Red Funnel stating that they will provide another update at 4pm, while Hovertravel will have further news at 1.30pm.

Powercuts were earlier reported in Northwood, with areas of Ryde, Carisbrooke, Yarmouth and Wootton now also affected.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSE) have said that they expect power to be restored by this evening.

UPDATE 4.34pm: Wightlink have resumed service on their Lymington to Yarmouth route. The next sailing from Yarmouth will be at 5.05pm.

Red Jet services remain suspended until further notice due to the continuing adverse weather. They will provide a further update at 7pm.

Hovertravel's services remain cancelled. A further update is scheduled for 5.30pm.

The East Cowes to Southampton vehicle ferry scheduled to depart at 4.30pm faces delay of up to 90 minutes, those travelling are advised to arrive as usual.

UPDATE 8.40pm: Following a day of hostile weather conditions, the Red Jet Service has returned to it's scheduled timetable.

Southern Vectis have announced that routes 7 and 8 are now operating normally after today's diversions due to fallen trees.

Hovertravel have announced that their services from Ryde and Southsea are now running on time. 

Main Road Newbridge is also now open to traffic.


UPDATE Sunday, November 3 — 10.55am: Yesterday's adverse weather conditions have relented, with Island travel services currently running to timetable.




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