STORM CONTINUES TO BATTER COUNTY

Trees have been blown down across many roads and motorists are urged to take care as the violent gusts of wind continue.

Wind speeds of around 60mph are being recorded.

Trees have been reported down at many locations, including:

The A22 southbound at Halland near the B2192.

The A22 at Maresfield near its junction with the A272.

The B2169 at Bayham Road, Frant, due to a fallen tree and an accident.

Montargis Way at Crowborough between Queens Road and the B2100 Crowborough Hill.

A tree has fallen completely across the carriageway between Coopers Green and the Budletts roundabout, near Uckfield, on the A272.

Traffic was reported earlier this morning to be going underneath the tree which was supported on either side by high banks.

In the Lewes district trees were uprooted in in Lewes Road, Bishops Lane and Wellingham Lane in Ringmer; High Street and North End, Ditchling; Beacon Road, Barcombe; and on the A272 at Newick and North Chailey.

Local councillor Peter Gardiner said: 'Fierce winds blew down a number of trees in a coppice alongside Lewes Road, Ringmer. One of the trees fell across the Lewes Road causing traffic hold-ups. Fortunately it was just after daybreak that the tree fell, and drivers were able to avoid the tree.'

Lewes District Council worked with the firefighters to clear the roads.

A spokesman said other than the inconvenience, there were no major incidents.

Train services are also being disrupted.

Delays can be expected, said rail operator Southern

From 9am this morning until 1pm a speed restriction will be imposed on Southern services due to the adverse weather expected.

Ferry services between Newhaven and Dieppe have been suspended.

Eastbourne and Seaford household waste recycling sites have just been closed due to the high winds.

The Environment Agency has recommended the closures to our waste contractor Veolia for health and safety reasons. The wind is so strong that waste and recycling are being blown around which is potentially dangerous.

Both the Eastbourne facility, in St Philip's Avenue, and the Seaford facility, in the Cradle Hill Industrial Estate, will be closed until midday, when we will review the situation. There are signs outside the entrances advising the public of the closures.

Seaford seafront has been closed to the public due to flooding.

Sgt David Kemp of Seaford police said: 'The high tide has coincided with some exceptionally high winds which have resulted in sea water being blown onto Marine Parade.

'It would be foolhardy for people to try to drive through these floods. The salt water will do their cars no good at all and there is every risk of them breaking down in the middle of the flood. Common sense should prevail.'

Forecasters expect the rain to finally clear by dusk with the winds easing overnight.