We are having a bumpy ride in Gloucestershire today - and it's not over yet.
Storm Gareth is bringing strong winds and rain to the county after a blustery day in the county already.
We have been bringing you the latest traffic and travel news from the Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Tewkesbury, the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds areas.
FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND TRAVEL ON WEDNESDAY VISIT THIS LIVE BLOG
And we kept a close eye on the M5 the M4 and M50 throughout our region - especially with the Cheltenham Festival 2019 under way.
Storm Gareth and Cheltenham Festival
Below, you will see the latest forecast from the Met Office and The Weather Channel.
A severe weather warning is now in place, leaving Festival racegoers battered and soaked in the strong winds and rain and tomorrow's Ladies' Day under threat.
Full weather and travel updates below
Key Events
Wednesday weather
For the latest on Storm Gareth, visit our Wednesday live blog
Tuesday update
Strong winds have started to hit the county. We’ll have all the latest traffic and travel information from first thing on Wednesday.
When will the winds arrive?
When the wind will come, according to the Weather Channel
Time, weather, temperature highs and lows, wind speed and direction
- 21:00 Partly Cloudy / Wind 5C 0C WSW 32 km/h
- 22:00 Partly Cloudy / Wind 5C 0C WSW 32 km/h
- 23:00 Partly Cloudy / Wind 5C 0C WSW 31 km/h
- 00:00 Mostly Clear 6C 1C WSW 31 km/h
- 01:00 Partly Cloudy / Wind 6C 1C WSW 33 km/h
- 02:00 Partly Cloudy / Wind 5C 0C WSW 33 km/h
- 03:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 6C 1C WSW 33 km/h
- 04:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 6C 1C W 32 km/h
- 05:00 Cloudy / Wind 6C 1C W 32 km/h
- 06:00 Cloudy / Wind 6C 1C W 33 km/h
- 07:00 Cloudy / Wind 6C 1C W 33 km/h
- 08:00 Cloudy / Wind 7C 2C W 34 km/h
- 09:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 8C 3C W 36 km/h
- 10:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 8C 4C WNW 40 km/h
- 11:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 9C 4C WNW 42 km/h
- 12:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 9C 5C WNW 43 km/h
- 13:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 9C 5C WNW 42 km/h
- 14:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 10C 5C WNW 41 km/h
- 15:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 10C 6C WNW 38 km/h
- 16:00 Mostly Cloudy / Wind 9C 5C WNW 34 km/h
Full statement on Wednesday racing from Cheltenham Racecoures
Cheltenham Racecourse has called a precautionary inspection ahead of racing tomorrow, to take place at 8am.
Ian Renton Regional Director for the south west region of The Jockey Club said:
“Strong gusting winds are forecast for the area on Wednesday, but their precise strength and location are not possible to predict in advance.
“We are currently looking at forecasts of gusts in excess of 45 mph, which may present challenges out on the track and around the site, dependent on their direction. We will therefore do a precautionary inspection at 8am tomorrow (Wednesday)
“We remain optimistic and we will assess the situation in the morning, working with our team, forecasters, the British Horseracing Authority and our Safety Advisory Group, in order to make a decision about whether racing goes ahead as planned.
“It’s important to let customers and participants know the exact situation as it stands. While our focus is to race tomorrow, should the weather conditions not allow this we would stage the whole of Wednesday’s card on Saturday.
“This would allow for all seven scheduled races to be re-staged to provide participants with their opportunity to race at The Festival and with originally advertised conditions, which would not be possible in the two remaining days.”
“Should the Saturday plan be required tomorrow, full details will be announced then, including race schedule. If racing is not able to go ahead on Wednesday, a full refund would be issued automatically to all ticket bookers.”
Tickets for Saturday would be made available to purchase at cheltenham.co.uk. There would be two enclosures – Best Mate and Club/ Tattersalls combined.
Crash on A40 in Herefordshire
This crash just across the Gloucestershire border
A40 in both directions partially blocked, slow traffic due to accident near to the turn off for Pontshill.
Affecting traffic between Lea and Weston under Penyard.
Early leavers hitting Cheltenham roads.
ery slow traffic and traffic heavier than normal on A435 Evesham Road in both directions at B4075 New Barn Lane.
Looks like early leavers from Cheltenham Festival.
How Storm Gareth looks from space
This video from The Met Office which is saying winds will pick up for many, bringing the risk of disruption to travel and power supplies.
Crash in Painswick
A46 Stroud Road in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to accident from Cotswold Mead to B4073 Gloucester Street.
Road is now closed near Painswick Rugby Club. More here
Why many Cheltenham race-goers might have to give up some of their winnings to pay traffic fines
It’s the first day of The Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse and it seems many motorists are ignoring a ban on general traffic driving through the town’s Boots Corner.
Perhaps race-goers heading to Prestbury Park are not looking at the signs that warn them not to go through the town centre area, around Clarence Street, and don’t know about them because they are not from Gloucestershire.
Or perhaps they can’t be bothered to find another way of getting to the racecourse, with tens of thousands of other people heading to the world famous event.
Day two officially under threat
The second day is ‘under threat due to wind speeds of around 50mph which might affect temporary structures at the racecourse’ racegoers have been told.
Clerk of the course Simon Claisse’s latest forecast suggests gales of up to 50mph might prevail.
He said in an update on Twitter: “We wanted to give you an early insight into conditions for tomorrow as the forecast is looking challenging with strong gusting winds throughout the day.
“We are continually monitoring the situation and will keep racegoers informed as the conditions present themselves.”
Flooding on M5 in Gloucestershire
Slow traffic and lane closed on exit slip road due to flooding on M5 Northbound at J11A A417 (Gloucester / Cirencester).
Lane two (of two) is closed heading down the slip road.
Champion Day LIVE
For the latest from the racecourse, follow our live racing blog here
Second day 'under threat'
It is being reported that day two is under threat due to strong winds, with an inspection expected on Wednesday.
The meeting could be extended to Saturday.
Confirmation on this as we get it.
Cheltenham traffic update
A435 EVESHAM ROAD AND OTHER ROUTES - SOUTHAM
Queueing traffic on A435 Evesham Road and other routes around Cheltenham Racecourse (Newlands Crossroads).
Congestion to Oxenton heading South towards the racecourse and back to the town centre heading North.
Routes through Southam and Prestbury in particular Swindon Lane, Hyde Lane and New Barn Lane are queuing.
Travel time is around 40 minutes.
Delays on all routes approaching the racecourse for Day 1 of the Cheltenham festival.
Lane closures on M5 in Worcestershire
Two incidents on M5 southbound
- One lane closed due to accident, lorry and two cars involved on M5 Southbound from J4A M42 to J5 A38 (Droitwich / Wychbold). Lane one (of four) is closed.
- One lane closed due to lorry having a tyre changed on M5 Southbound between J8 M50 and J9 A46 (Tewkesbury). Lane one (of three) closed.
The roads worst hit by Cheltenham Festival traffic
Here are the roads most affected by people heading to the racecourse
A435 - CHELTENHAM - NORTHBOUND
Queueing traffic on A435 Northbound between A46 Fairview Road (The Cotswold Inn) and Cheltenham Racecourse.
Heavy congestion as traffic heads to Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.
A435 EVESHAM ROAD - TEDDINGTON - SOUTHBOUND
Long delays and queueing traffic on A435 Evesham Road Southbound between A46 (Teddington Hands Roundabout, Teddington) and Cheltenham Racecourse (Cheltenham).
Heavy congestion as traffic heads to Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.
B4075 NEW BARN LANE - CHELTENHAM - WESTBOUND
Queueing traffic on B4075 New Barn Lane Westbound between B4632 Deep Street and Cheltenham Racecourse.
Heavy congestion as traffic heads to Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.
B4632 - CLEEVE HILL - WESTBOUND
Very slow traffic on B4632 Westbound between Langley Road (Cleeve Hill) and Old Road (Southam).
Heavy congestion as traffic heads to Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.
HYDE LANE - CHELTENHAM - EASTBOUND
Queueing traffic on Hyde Lan Eastbound between Swindon Lane and Hyde Lane (Newlands Crossroads).
Heavy congestion as traffic heads to Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.
'P*ss, abuse and litter'
One woman has contacted us to say:
“It’s not even noon and we have people urinating on my property and shouting abuse.
“This is the face of the races for me and my family. This will happen dozens of times a day for the next four days.
“P*ss, abuse and litter.”
Storm warning now in place
The Met Office’s yellow weather warning for wind is now active.
It says:
Strong west to northwesterly winds are expected from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday with possible transport disruption.
What to expect
Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely Some short term loss of power and other services is possible It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities are affected by spray and/or large waves.
Crash on M5 in Worcestershire
Reports of accident, lorry and two cars involved on M5 Southbound from J4A M42 to J5 A38 (Droitwich / Wychbold). Traffic is coping well.
All vehicles are on the hard shoulder.
Secure your bins
Watch out for your bins!
People in Cheltenham are being urged to secure their household waste and recycling containers to avoid the contents being blown all over the street when Storm Gareth hits
Slow going in Cheltenham
It is taking a long time to get through Cheltenham - ten minutes just to drive past St Edward’s School in Cheltenham, according to one motorist
Latest on M5 in Worcestershire
Traffic returned to normal, accident cleared on M5 Northbound between J7 A44 (Worcester / Evesham) and J6 A4538 Pershore Lane (Worcester).
All repairs have now been completed lane three (of three) reopened at around 10:25.
Celebs and photos latest
If you are looking for fashion, celebs and photo, visit our what’s on live blog here
So far, we have seen Carol Vorderman and Nick Knowles
Delays on A40 due to Festival
Here’s some traffic hot spots this morning linked to the Festival
A40 LONDON ROAD - CHELTENHAM-
Very slow traffic on A40 London Road Westbound from Cheltenham to Cheltenham.
A435 EVESHAM ROAD - CHELTENHAM- BOTH DIRECTIONS
Slow traffic due to day one of the Cheltenham Festival on A435 Evesham Road in both directions at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Extra checks for racehorses following equine flu and focus on welfare
Extra checks for racehorses will be implemented at The Festival following the equine flu outbreak and to action a renewed focus on welfare.
The British Horseracing Authority has worked closely with Cheltenham Racecourse to make changes to the way runners are dealt with at the prestigious four-day fixture.
What's the weather like at the Cheltenham Festival?
These pictures will give you a bit of an idea
