Strife of Brian: Storm brings power cuts across Newport and Caerphilly, closes the Severn Bridge,and causes train cancellations

Traffic is coming off the motorway, around the roudnabouts and is then being redirected back onto the carriageway.

Regular restrictions are in case the bridge needs to be closed quickly because of strong crosswinds. The bridge itself is still open.

UPDATE 8.22pm: Power has been restored to all properties in Gwent followed earlier power cuts.

UPDATE 8.17pm: It is still wet and very windy out there, and the storm continues to affect train services and transport generally, so take care if you have a journey to make tonight.

It looks set to be wet, if a little less windy tomorrow:

UPDATE 7.40pm: Trains are now running again on the Ebbw Vale-Cardiff line after the earlier incident, though speeds are limited due to the weather.

No injuries were reported. The tree was jammed underneath the train.

UPDATE 7.35pm: A train was reported to have struck a tree near Cross Keys at around 4pm, leaving trains unable to run between Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale Town

UPDATE 5.12pm: All but two properties in Newport have now had their power restored.

Power has also been restored to all other proeprties in Gwent.

UPDATE 4.02pm: 724 properties in Newport are currently without power, accoding to Western Power Distribution.

And there are also 362 properties without power in Caerphilly county borough, and three in Torfaen.

UPDATE 3.11pm: 371 homes are without electricity in parts of Gwent, including the Blackwood, Risca, Newbridge and Abercarn areas, Western Power Distribution is reporting.

The current estimated time for restoring supplies is 6pm.

UPDATE 1.51pm:

A crew from South Wales Fire and Rescue are at the scene of a report of a dangerous structure at the Grange Court flats complex on Bassaleg Road, Newort, opposite the Handpost pub.

The entrance arch to the flats' inner courtyard is currently taped off.

STORM Brian is making itself felt, with the Severn Bridge (M48) closed both ways due to strong winds.

And Gwent as a whole is beginning to feel the force of Storm Brian as it sweeps in from the west.

Train services are being badly disrupted, with cancellations and delays the order of the day.

Trains to and from Newport and Cheltenham Spa have been cancelled by Arriva Trains Wales, up to and including the 19.45 service from Cheltenham Spa.

Two Cardiff-Crewe services - passing through Newport - were cancelled this morning, and the 14.40 Gloucester-Newport service has also been cancelled.

There are also delays ranging from minor to severe on many other services.

For full details, visit www.journeycheck.com/arrivatrainswales/

Great Western is also warning that speed restrictions due to the high winds between Carmarthen and Swindon mean trains must run at reduced speed on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 40 minutes, and disruption is expected until midnight.

The Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes near Caldicot has been forced to close today for safety reasons, due to the high winds.

A post on the visitor attraction's Facebook page apologies for the inconvenience and states: 'Blame Brian' - but it intends to reopen its Halloween Trail tomorrow.

A 'yellow' weather warning issued by the Met Office came into force at 4am this morning, as Storm Brian made landfall in west Wales, and it is currently in place until midnight.

This is due to a spell of strong winds.

It warns of large waves and spray for coastal communities, with the potential for flooding of properties.

Some transport disruption is likely across the whole warning area, with delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.

Short term loss of power and other services is also possible, as well as damage to trees.

A detour is currently in operation for traffic that would normally use the Severn Bridge, via the M4 Second Severn Crossing, and the bridge will remain closed until further notice.