Storm Austen - Live weather and Isle of Wight travel updates
National Trust IW sites
Our Isle of Wight sites will be closed on Friday 23rd October due to Storm Austen. This includes Mottistone Gardens, The Needles Old Battery and New Battery, and the Visitor Point at Newtown National Nature Reserve. Bembridge Windmill is closed as normal on a Friday.
Hovertravel
Hovertravel has warned of cancellations from 6am on Friday due to Storm Austen. Replacement travel options may also be disrupted, the firm said.
A spokesperson said: "If you have a booking, you can amend it free of charge via our website, provided you make the changes before your scheduled departure time."
Wightlink
Wightlink is 'strongly' advising customers expecting to travel on Friday to consider changing their plans as sailings may not operate. FastCat services are expected to be severely impacted, and car ferry services may also be affected.
A spokesperson said: "If you are booked on a FastCat sailing, we recommend moving to a car ferry instead. Please note we cannot guarantee onward transport from Fishbourne to Ryde."
Customers can amend their bookings for free, but amending to a new sailing on Friday is not possible due to the expected impact of the storm. Alternatively, customers can cancel for a full refund.
A spokesperson added: "Safety must come first, and we will only operate services where conditions allow. We will notify affected customers as soon as decisions have been made."
Bin collections
The Isle of Wight Council has issued advice regarding bin collections amid the stormy weather. With high winds forecast for Thursday and Friday, residents are asked not to put bins out the night before collection where possible. Residents should put bins out on the morning of the collection day and bring them back in as soon as possible after they have been emptied to prevent them from being blown over.
Weather warning
A Met Office weather warning for strong winds comes into effect from midnight on Thursday and will run until 5pm on Friday.
Hello!
The County Press is bringing you live updates across Thursday and Friday as Storm Austen batters the Isle of Wight.
