Storm Franklin: Motorists suffer traffic on M1

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Police patrolling the motorway chased down the driver after he hurtled past them on the M6 northbound near Preston on Sunday. Heavy rain and strong winds due to the arrival of Storm Franklin made driving conditions extremely dangerous.

But he was not the only driver along the motorway exceeding the speed limit to be stopped by Lancashire Road Police.

Lancs Road Police tweeted: “In adverse weather such as rain it’s important to slow down.

“One driver stopped on M6 northbound after he undertook an unmarked police car and driving at 90+, then on southbound, another stopped due to speed of 100+.”

Commuters have been urged to “avoid travel if possible” and thousands have been told to evacuate their homes as Storm Franklin batters the nation.

More than 400 households have been told to evacuate in south Manchester, amid two severe flood warnings and in Sprotbrough, South Yorkshire, the River Don has burst its banks.

Around 56,000 people are still thought to be without power following the effects of Storm Eunice over the weekend.

On Monday, motorists faced severe delays along the M1 as the motorway was completely closed due to flooding caused by the storm.

Both directions were shut between junction 34 for Sheffield north and Meadowhall and junction 33 for Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

The road became flooded after Storm Franklin lashed heavy rainfall across the UK.

Two lanes on the M25 Dartford Crossing were also closed.

The closure has reportedly been caused by strong winds.

A ‘yellow’ wind warning has been issued by the Met Office for today, Monday.

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The yellow weather warning remains in force for most of the country – including South Yorkshire – as gales of up to 80mph are expected today.

The warning is in place until 1pm and the Met Office has warned that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts.

Train services across Yorkshire have been cancelled due to the weather.

Coastal areas, though, are feared to be worst hit by the latest storm.

The Met Office said: “In the south these strong winds may hamper, or slow, ongoing recovery efforts in the wake of Storm Eunice.

“Winds will ease steadily from the northwest during the remainder of Monday.”

It’s the third storm the UK has faced in the space of one week.

Storm Eunice’s destructive path through the UK on Friday left the country vulnerable, with Britons picking up the pieces following the storm’s 120mph winds.

The most severe system in decades killed up to four people and injured many others while toppling trees, stirring waves and picking up debris.

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