HIGH winds caused travel misery for commuters on the first day back at work after the Christmas break.
Gales swept through the North-East and North Yorkshire during the morning - with gusts as high as 65mph reported in exposed areas.
Although the winds caused only minor damage, with a few reports of broken branches, travel operators were taking no chances.
GNER said it had imposed an 80mph speed limit on exposed areas of the East Coast Main Line.
There were also speed limits on the A1 and the Newton Cap viaduct, at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was closed to high-sided vehicles.
Three trees fell across roads at Auckside, in Middleton-in- Teesdale, the A67 near Winston and the area between Newbiggin and Alston. No one was hurt and they were soon cleared.
The A66 from Bowes, in Teesdale, to Brough, in Cumbria, was also closed to high-sided vehicles for most of yesterday, because of the strong winds.
After a brief lull today, high winds are expected to return tomorrow.
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