A tree has snapped near its base and fallen across grass at St Helen’s Green in Hangleton, Hove, as Storm Austen brings damage and travel disruption to Brighton and Hove.
Photographs taken at the scene on Friday 23 October show the trunk lying on the green, with branches extending towards the adjoining pavement. Splintered wood is visible where the trunk has broken close to ground level.
Sussex Guardian’s Ciaran Clarke, a local resident, visited the green and photographed the fallen tree. The precise time of the fall and arrangements for its removal have not yet been confirmed.
West Pier collapse and disruption across the city
On Brighton seafront, a section of the West Pier collapsed into the sea on Friday. BBC coverage includes footage of the collapse as rough seas hit the remaining structure.
The West Pier Trust’s standing safety advice says the ruin is dangerous and should not be approached. The trust describes it as being in a state of active collapse; this advice predates Friday’s damage.
Elsewhere in Brighton, a fallen tree at Moulsecoomb affected trains between Lewes and Brighton during the morning, according to Southern Railway updates carried by V2 Radio.
In a 3.49pm update, National Rail also reported a tree on the line in the Preston Park area, delaying services from Brighton and Hove towards Haywards Heath and Gatwick. Passengers should check live journey information before travelling.
Preston Park station underpass was closed for flooding this morning after the heavy rain.
Wind gusts of 50–60mph forecast
The Met Office’s yellow wind warning covering Brighton and Hove forecast gusts of 50–60mph across the wider warning area, with 70mph or more possible in some coastal or exposed locations, particularly in south-west England.
These are forecast figures, rather than a confirmed wind-speed reading at St Helen’s Green. A verified local peak gust has not yet been established for this report but it did get very gusty at 2:30pm.
The warning covering the city runs until 5pm on Friday. The Met Office warns that large waves can sweep people off their feet even from the shore, and advises checking travel conditions as the weather changes.
Useful contacts
Report a fallen tree in Sussex
Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger. Keep clear of damaged trees and hanging branches.
- Brighton & Hove: highway hazards: 01273 292929; out-of-hours emergencies: 01273 292229. Non-urgent council-tree reports: Cityparks.
- East Sussex Highways: urgent road or pavement hazards: 0345 608 0193 (24 hours).
- West Sussex Highways: urgent road or pavement hazards: 01243 642105.
- National Highways roads: 0300 123 5000.
Use the linked council pages for non-urgent reports. For parks or private land, contact the park operator or landowner. Give the exact location and describe the obstruction. Phone about urgent hazards.
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