A WOMAN had a lucky escape this morning as high winds blew down trees across the Bradford district blocking roads and railways.
The woman driver narrowly avoided injury when a tree came down on Park Road, Bingley, at about 5am today as she was heading to work.
She was left shocked when the large tree fell across her Peugeot hatchback, crushing the bonnet.
A firefighter who attended the incident said the driver was lucky she hadn't been on the spot fractionally earlier as the tree could have smashed her windscreen or roof.
The timber was a branch which came from a tree in the garden of a house opposite Prince of Wales Park.
Police and ambulance crews were also called to the scene.
Park Road was closed both ways from Lady Lane (Bingley) to Park Drive (Eldwick) but has now been reopened.
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Police and the council have dealt a fallen tree on Bingley Road, Heaton, near to the junction of Thorn Lane, the turning for Belle Vue Girls Academy.
#highwinds in #westyorkshire @WestYorksPolice near cotts heads up pic.twitter.com/byeL4wVh7A
— HalalorHaram (@HalalorHaram) February 9, 2019
It was blocking both ways but the road has now re-opened.
Fallen tree on Bingley Road B6269 one of the main routes in and out of #Bradford pic.twitter.com/qYK8FNWK8l
— Sabah Jalal (@SabahMariamJ) February 9, 2019
In Airedale a tree on the railway line at Keighley caused disruption at this station. Trains were cancelled, delayed or revised. Services have now returned to normal.
The @northernassist Airedale line - Tree on railway line at Keighley causing disruption at this station. Trains may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption expected until 12:00.
— Metro Travel News (@MetroTravelNews) February 9, 2019
In Wharfedale flooding at Menston station means all lines are blocked. Train services running between Ilkley and Leeds / Bradford Forster Square may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 5pm.
TRAVEL UPDATE: Due to severe weather at #Menston all lines are blocked. pic.twitter.com/76kgQL15Gg
— Northern (@northernassist) February 9, 2019
The A65 Ilkley Road was blocked by a tree but was cleared by 9am.
Keighley Bus Company reported that due to a fallen tree on Wilton Road, Ilkley, Wharfedalelink 962 is diverting via Eaton road.
Goose Lane in Guiseley was also partially blocked by a fallen tree.
Police had another report of a disruption on the road - this time someone decided against going to the nearest waste disposal site and instead discarded a fridge and a microwave in the middle of the road near to the junction of Laisterdyke and Leeds Road in Bradford.
Winds speeds recorded at Bingley Weather Station peaked at 35mph at about 4am this morning with stronger gusts reaching 61mph between 5am and 7am.
#StormErik has been named by @MetEireann for the area of low pressure arriving on Friday. Impacts will be greatest across Ireland though warnings are in force across parts of the UK – Stay #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/ca1VqXoQ6G
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 7, 2019
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