Train station roof blown off and scores of cancelled flights - how Storm Ciara brought Luton to standstill

The impact of Storm Ciara was worse than predicted in Luton - with the train station roof blown off and a "significant number" of cancelled flights at Luton Airport.
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Yet despite huge disruption for travellers, there were no reports of casualties in Luton as a result of Sunday's storm.

Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins brought up the dilapidated state of Luton Train Station on Sunday Politics.

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She said: "One of the first questions I raised in Parliament was around investment in towns and in railway stations because they are at the heart of economic regeneration.

BCH Roads Policing captured footage of a portaloo being blown across the streetBCH Roads Policing captured footage of a portaloo being blown across the street
BCH Roads Policing captured footage of a portaloo being blown across the street

"Luton Station is not fit for purpose.

"I will be absolutely pushing for investment in that infrastructure and that ties to the promises the Government is making - whether they come good on it - around investing in high streets."

Following the severe damage to Luton Train Station yesterday, activists including Luton Station Action Group have renewed calls for owner Network Rail to invest in upgrading facilities.

Tim Stringer, Senior Asset Engineer for Network Rail, said: “Severe weather over the weekend has caused significant damage to the roof over platforms one and two at Luton railway station.

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“Network Rail workers have visited site today and carried out an inspection of the area. Teams from Network Rail will be working overnight to carry out repairs to the roof.

“We would like to reassure all station users that we are working as hard as we can to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Elsewhere, Beds, Cambs and Herts Road Policing Unit shared an online video of a portaloo being blown across the road outside of Hitchin yesterday.

And Luton Airport suffered one of its worst days, with heavy cancellation of flights.

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A Luton Airport spokesman said: “Storm Ciara created some extremely challenging conditions for us on Sunday with gusts of up to 65mph, resulting in a significant number of cancelled, delayed or diverted flights.

"We’d like to thank our passengers for their patience and understanding.”

> Were you affected by yesterday's extreme weather? Email [email protected].