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Hundreds of flights cancelled as Storm Bert wreaks travel havoc

Hundreds of flights were grounded across the weekend as Storm Bert battered much of the UK.

Heavy snow forced flights to be diverted and delayed at Newcastle airport on Saturday while Heathrow suffered the highest number of cancellations.

A total of 126 flights due to depart UK airports and 118 arrivals were cancelled on Saturday – 6% of the total, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Heathrow bore the brunt of cancellations across the weekend with 46 departures cancelled on Saturday and 88 by 11am on Sunday.

The number of inbound flight cancellations at the London hub reached 48 on Saturday and 85 on Sunday.

Sunday saw 121 departures and 117 arriving flights cancelled before midday, Cirium reported.

Storm Bert’s heavy winds, rain, and continued snow and icy conditions caused significant river and surface water flooding in parts of England on Sunday, especially in the southwest, the West Midlands, and the Calder and Weaver Valleys in the north of England.

Wind gusts reached 75mph in coastal areas and up to 65mph inland.

At least 80 properties have so far been confirmed to have been flooded in England, while South Wales saw more than 100mm of rain in some places, resulting in widespread flooding.  

A government statement said: “Across the country Environment Agency officers are out checking flood defences, clearing debris and erecting temporary barriers. 

“Minor impacts are possible more widely across England, which may continue in places until Tuesday.”

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