Clear-up work in Bridport after Storm Eunice causes havoc

And a council team who worked to make Bridport safe in ‘unbelievably challenging circumstances’ have been praised for their efforts.

Communities have been dealing with the aftermath of the storm which battered the area last Friday with gusts of up to 90mph.

Ferocious seas off Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock   Picture: David FitzJohn

It tore down trees which fell onto roads, cars and railway lines, ripped off roofs, created massive waves at the coast which put communities on flood alert, and left thousands without power as electricity lines were torn down.

Key routes in west Dorset including the A35 near Bridport were partially blocked by fallen trees and on the A37 near Frampton a van was blown over.

Some vehicles on country lanes in the Bridport and Lyme Regis areas were crushed by fallen trees.

A tree fell on two cars on Lower Walditch Lane in Bridport Picture: Graham Hunt Photography

Despite the wild weather, the News has not been made aware of any serious injuries due to the storm.

It came after Dorset was issued with an amber weather warning which carried a potential risk to life and property. Schools took the decision towards the end of Thursday to close early for half-term on the advice of Dorset Council, and many people ended up staying at home on the day after advice was given not to travel.

The clean-up operation was somewhat hampered by further strong winds at the weekend and then a second bout of severe weather, Storm Franklin, blew in on Monday of this week, although it was not as severe as Eunice.

Bridport Town Council’s team were busy on Friday clearing the roads of trees and securing areas where roofs were coming off buildings.

Fallen trees had to be dealt with in multiple locations across the town including Lower Walditch Lane, Pymore Road, West Bay Road Car Park, West Bay Play Area, St Cecelia’s Gardens, Bridport Medical Centre and Riverside Gardens.

With the high winds continuing through the weekend, further tree falls were attended to at St Mary’s Fields and again at West Bay Road Car Park.

In the following days the worst of the branches were cleared away and a cherry picker was used in the town to repair the loose slates on business buildings in the town centre.

Town council staff securing the roof at Bridport Lighting in South Street  Picture: Bridport Town Council

Town Clerk Will Austin said: “I’m deeply grateful to our team – Daryl, Sean, Ed, Tim, two Pauls, Andrew, Tom and George – for their incredible efforts in unbelievably challenging circumstances since Friday.

“They put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe on the day and haven’t let up with the work since then to keep the town going.

“I’d also like to thank the Dorset Council Highways Team who were on the scene soon after the town council staff. We’re lucky to have such dedicated people working for the Bridport community.”

Lyme Regis Town Council were also busy in the aftermath of Storm Eunice with the team seeing to a fallen tree in the cemetery and branches blocking Timber Hill. The council was also on site at Marine Parade due to the closure of Cobb Road as tiles had come off a nearby roof.

Fire crew removing loose lead flashing torn away from a dormer window in Church Street, Lyme Regis during Storm Eunice last Friday  Picture: Gail Pitter

Town clerk John Wright said: “Following warnings on Thursday, the council made preparations for Storm Eunice and put various contingency plans in place in case the sea defences were breached and localised flooding occurred.

“We ensured all drains and outlet pipes on our land were free flowing and clear from debris, we had sandbags ready at known flood sites, we had hydrosnakes on hand in the event of flooding to buildings, and the tractor was ready to remove beach huts if required.

“Fortunately, none of these precautions were necessary and it was the high winds that caused the most issues.

“Our external works’ team were on standby all day on Friday and dealt with a fallen tree in the cemetery and a branch blocking the road in Timber Hill. They also helped with vehicle movements across the seafront as Cobb Road was closed.

“Thank you to all those in the town, including our own workforce, involved in the clean-up operation and for keeping everyone safe during the storm.”

People look out towards the sea as waves crash against the Cobb in Lyme Regis as Storm Eunice hits   Picture: Press Association

Meanwhile, a group of residents took it upon themselves to clear a road, just off the A356 near Toller Down Gate, that was blocked by a fallen tree, with their own chainsaw.

Abi Holt and her partner Jack Heynes were travelling from Beaminster to Dorchester to collect dog food for their puppy when they decided it was best to help than find another route.

Clearing the blocked road near Toller Down Gate    Picture: Abi Holt

Miss Holt said: “Jack had his chainsaw in the car from doing work that week, so we decided to clear the tree as we had what we needed, it was a no brainer really! It was nice to do our little bit to help clear the roads and relieve some pressure on the council and farmers who were already out and probably busy.”

The job was completed in ten minutes after two more people stopped to helped.

Miss Holt added: “It was lovely to see that the people who stopped because of the tree originally, but then saw me and Jack clearing it, were willing to help us so the road was safe.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said at the weekend: “Officers have stated they want to thank members of the public for their assistance as they responded to incidents relating to Storm Eunice. The force has been extremely busy and officers have stated that at a number of jobs they had attended they had benefited from members of the public stopping to assist.”