Post by HardTimeTrucker on Mar 24, 2009 7:19:53 GMT -5
Port Back in Operation
Last updated: 3/24/2009
BRITAIN'S biggest container terminal was back to normal today after March winds disrupted operations during a day of wild weather.
Felixstowe port was closed for four hours after gusts of up to 45mph buffeted the coast - making it unsafe for the drivers of the high-rise quayside cranes to work.
After the warm and settled weekend, many people were caught out as the weather abruptly changed.
The fine start to the day disappeared as a band of heavy showers swept across the region and the winds got up in the afternoon, with a clear evening then followed by more heavy rain overnight.
Weathermen say the pattern of sunshine and showers with a cold wind will continue all week.
It was certainly a blustery afternoon on the ground yesterday, but wind speeds up in the air at the top of Felixstowe's cranes - where the measurements are taken - were far higher.
The port closure was not a surprise as the Met Office and port officials had put out a warning at breakfast-time yesterday, urging truckers to delay their journeys.
Lorry holding areas on the port were full by lunchtime and so Operation Stack was put in place to temporarily hold vehicles on the old A45 at Levington.
Suffolk police and officials from the Highways Agency assisted with the management of trucks.
The port re-opened late afternoon and vehicles with a ticket and a place already booked were allowed to the dock as soon as those on the terminal had been loaded and unloaded.
A port spokesman apologised for the inconvenience and disruption but safety of all port users was a vital issue.
Last updated: 3/24/2009
BRITAIN'S biggest container terminal was back to normal today after March winds disrupted operations during a day of wild weather.
Felixstowe port was closed for four hours after gusts of up to 45mph buffeted the coast - making it unsafe for the drivers of the high-rise quayside cranes to work.
After the warm and settled weekend, many people were caught out as the weather abruptly changed.
The fine start to the day disappeared as a band of heavy showers swept across the region and the winds got up in the afternoon, with a clear evening then followed by more heavy rain overnight.
Weathermen say the pattern of sunshine and showers with a cold wind will continue all week.
It was certainly a blustery afternoon on the ground yesterday, but wind speeds up in the air at the top of Felixstowe's cranes - where the measurements are taken - were far higher.
The port closure was not a surprise as the Met Office and port officials had put out a warning at breakfast-time yesterday, urging truckers to delay their journeys.
Lorry holding areas on the port were full by lunchtime and so Operation Stack was put in place to temporarily hold vehicles on the old A45 at Levington.
Suffolk police and officials from the Highways Agency assisted with the management of trucks.
The port re-opened late afternoon and vehicles with a ticket and a place already booked were allowed to the dock as soon as those on the terminal had been loaded and unloaded.
A port spokesman apologised for the inconvenience and disruption but safety of all port users was a vital issue.