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Storm Force 10 closes ferry ports

Ferry Online Travel News 04/02/2008

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Dover port closed on Thurday due to bad weather conditions

On the last day of January this year, all ferry crossing using the port of Dover had to be cancelled due to high winds and bad weather in the Channel.

The winds buffeting the south-east coast were clocked in at gusts of up to 63 miles per hour. The speed of the winds put the storm in at Storm Force 10, serious enough to close the ports and stop ferry crossings.

At 08:30, port authorities closed Dover port because of the high winds.

Four companies, Norfolkline, P&O Ferries, SpeedFerries and SeaFrance, had to cancel their crossings, interrupting service to Calais, Boulogne and Dunkerque.

Later during the day, winds increased to speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. The gale overturned cars on roads in Kent and Sussex, forcing even roads to close down during the storm. A tree fell on the railway line in Surrey, disrupting even train service to London.

The Dover port reopened later in the afternoon, although there continued to be delays in the ferry operation throughout the day.

A spokesperson from the police said: "Anyone planning to cross to the continent is advised to check with operators before setting out to travel."

"Kent Police is also advising people to be prepared for the bad weather conditions forecast for the next few days."

A statement from the Dover coastguard said: "There were recorded gusts of 69 knots, force 12, which is hurricane strength, in the harbour.

"The port reopened at 15:00 GMT and the winds have quite dramatically dropped."

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