SOUTH Cumbria braces itself today for 70mph winds set to batter the coastline.

The MET Office has issued a yellow weather warning until 3pm today for wind across south Cumbria, with strong winds expected to reach 70mph, particularly along the coast.

As a result, residents are told to expect likely delays on the roads and to be cautious when passing high-sided vehicles, particularly on exposed routes.

Inland gusts of 55mph are also expected quite widely, which has forced organisers of Barrow’s Parkrun and Fell Foot Parkrun to cancel their run today.

Jacqui Armstrong, a regular Barrow parkrunner said: “I would say to people don’t panic as there are plenty of other alternatives in the area.

“I will be finding an alternative as it really helps to set me up for the weekend and I always feel so much better after I’ve had a run.

“However, considering the amount of people who participate in Barrow’s Parkrun I completely understand why it has been cancelled as there is a lot of trees around the park.

“Saying that this is the first time I have ever known the parkrun to be cancelled as a result of wind.”

Residents have also been warned to expect large waves along coastal routes and sea fronts.

Anyone heading up into the Lakes should also take caution as high winds are expected to be worse in higher locations.

Yesterdays weather proved no better as a landslide on the railway line caused disruption to trains heading between Barrow and Carlisle.

The incident occurred on the railway line between Whitehaven and Workington causing all trains to be cancelled between the two stations as well as slowing all other trains travelling along the Cumbrian Coast Line.

The government were also forced to issue various flood alerts across the area as large and powerful waves hit south Cumbria’s coastline.

For updates on Storm Erik as it hits south Cumbria today visit www.nwemail.co.uk