Storm Franklin LIVE: Latest updates as very strong winds hit Preston, Blackpool, Burnley, Lancaster and across Lancashire on Monday

Fleetwood High School in Broadway, Fleetwood will remain closed on Tuesday (February 21) after a section of roof was damaged by the strong winds.

In a text sent out to parents, a spokesman for Fleetwood High School: “Due to continued high winds and building damage, school will be closed tomorrow.

“We will keep you informed as updates are available.”

The decision to suspend the services on Friday (February 18) was made after transport chiefs agreed that it was “too dangerous to operate a safe service”.

The operator said it hoped to resume the service by 2pm on Friday, but Storm Eunice later brought strong gales and high tides to the Fylde coast.

But at around 2.30pm on Monday (February 21), Blackpool Transport confirmed all services were running again after damaged overhead had been fixed.

A roof was blown off a home in Cleveleys after Storm Franklin battered the Fylde Coast yesterday (Sunday, February 20).

The huge section of what appears to be tar paper and wooden boards came crashing down after it was whipped off a three-storey home in Nutter Road.

One neighbour was alarmed to discover the roofing crumpled on the street below, just yards from where he had parked his car.

Pictures from the scene show the stricken roof, along with its chimneys and vents, after it crash landed in neighbouring St Andrew’s Court.

Fire crews attended to make the scene safe, but fortunately, no one was injured.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 4.51am today (February 21) to reports of a single-vehicle RTC involving a HGV on the northbound carriageway of the M6 at junction 27.

“Emergency services attended and found the vehicle had caught fire.

“The driver of the HGV was already out of the vehicle when emergency services arrived.

“He has been taken to hospital with head injuries and we wish him a speedy recovery.

“A full motorway closure was initially put in place.

“The southbound carriageway has since re-opened.

“The northbound carriageway remains closed at this time.

“Anyone with information or dashcam footage can email [email protected] or call 101, quoting log 0152 of February 21, 2022.”

The wall of a house has collapsed in Chorley this morning.

The house at the corner of Carrington Road and Avondale Rhad been undergoing building work and had scaffolding erected at the front.

But savage winds from Storm Franklin has nearly toppled the scaffolding and caused the gable end to come crashing down to the street.

No-one is believed to have been injured in the collapse.

Barton Bridge on the M60 near the Trafford Centre is closed with long delays due to recovery work and emergency barrier repairs after a lorry crash this morning.

The motorway is closed between junction 9 (Trafford Park) and junction 11 (A57 Liverpool Road, Barton).

Congestion is back to J7 (Stretford).

Also through Eccles and Worsley as drivers seeks alternative routes.

The lorry was removed around 10.10am.

Diversion

Traffic to follow the Solid Square symbol heading Clockwise.

Via Trafford Park and Eccles using Park Way, Centenary Bridge and the M602 to rejoin at J12.

Traffic is easing on the M61 after a crash on the northbound carriageway near Chorley earlier.

Lane 3 was briefly closed between junction 8 (A674 Millennium Way) to junction 9 (M65 J2, Clayton Brook) whilst police attended.

The vehicle has now been recovered and all lanes are open.

Five fire engines from Lancashire and Greater Manchester were called to the M6 near Chorley after a lorry was blown into a bridge and its trailer caught fire this morning.

By 7am, the fire had been extinguished using four breathing apparatus and three hose reels and the M6 southbound was reopened.

The lorry driver managed to escape after being rescued from his cab by other motorists.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital by ambulance for assessment.

The northbound M6 remains closed between Standish and Leyland as of 9.34am.

As of 9.29am, the northbound between Standish (J27) and Leyland (J28) remains closed.

The southbound carriageway is currently open.

Fire crews can be seen tackling the fire, with the lorry nearly destroyed by the blaze.

Police said strong winds caused a lorry to hit a motorway bridge before ‘bursting into flames’.

Fortunately, the driver managed to escape from the cab with help from other motorists and is now being assessed at hospital.

The northbound M6 remains closed between Leyland and Standish, with approximately 5 miles of queueing traffic back to junction 26 (M58, Orrell Interchange).

The northbound entry slip road at junction J27 in Standish is also currently closed to prevent traffic joining the motorway, with drivers diverted through Euxton.

Storm Franklin has meant picket lines are standing down

Today, (Monday 21 Feb) staff at the University of Central Lancashire have started a 5 day walk out, but their picket lines have had to be called off due to severe weather conditions.

In disputes over pay and working conditions, UCU members at the university are holding walk outs on February 21, February 22, February 28, March 1 and March 2.

However today's picket lines, originally to be held on Adelphi Square on their Preston campus, have had to be called off due to Storm Franklin.

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The family of a Chorley dad who died after a crash at the weekend have paid tribute to him, saying he was "a funny and loving person who would do anything for anyone".

Christopher Bowker, 33, was the driver of a Seat Ibiza which crashed on the A666 in Darwen shortly before 8am on Saturday (February 19).

Emergency services were called to the scene in Blackburn Road and Christopher was taken to hospital with critical injuries.

He was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

Police believe he lost control of his car and veered into the opposite carriageway, colliding with an oncoming Mitsubishi Outlander.

In a tribute, his heartbroken family said: “Christopher was a funny and loving person. He was so caring and would do anything for anyone. He leaves behind a son and daughter.

“Our family is understandably shattered. Life will never be the same again.”

The M6 is closed northbound between Standish (J27) and Leyland (J28) whilst emergency services tackle a lorry fire.

Drivers are being diverted off the motorway at Standish and along Wigan Road through Euxton to rejoin the M6 at junction 28 in Leyland.

This is the Diversion Route

Drivers are advised to follow the Hollow Diamond diversion symbol on road signs

- Exit the M6 northbound at J27 in Standish

- At the M6 J27/ A5209 roundabout, join the A5209 eastbound

- At the A5209/A49 junction, turn left onto the A49 northbound

- At the A49/A581 junction, turn right onto the A581 eastbound

- At the A581/B5252 roundabout, join the B5252 northbound

- At the B5252/Euxton Lane roundabout, join Euxton lane westbound

- At the Euxton Lane/Central Drive junction, follow Central Drive northbound

- At Central Drive/B5248 junction follow B5248 westbound

- At the B5248/A49 junction, turn right onto the A49 northbound

- At the A49/B5256 junction, turn left onto the B5256 westbound

- At the B5256/M6 J28, re-join the M6 northbound