UPDATED: ADVERSE WEATHER LEADS TO CROSS-SOLENT DISRUPTION AS 70MPH WINDS EXPECTED

Hovertravel has suspended its cross-Solent services between Ryde and Southsea this morning (Thursday) as adverse weather moves in across the Isle of Wight. A yellow weather warning is in force from 09:00 this morning until 21:00 tonight, with 70mph winds expected alongside heavy spells of rain, as previously reported by Island Echo. It’s said that the hovers will remain suspended until at least 10:45, but it is likely that the service will be offline for the majority of the day. Tickets are being accepted on Wightlink’s Fastcat service in the meantime. The weather isn’t the only thing causing disruption to travel today… Red Funnel has cancelled 6 of its vehicle ferry sailings due to overrunning maintenance work. Also in East Cowes, the Floating Bridge across the River Medina has been suspended due to a suspected mechanical issue. The weather has also resulted in the closure of Blackgang Chine theme park today, as a precautionary measure. UPDATE @ 13:18 – Wightlink has cancelled 13:15, 14:15 and 15:15 Fastcat sailings from Portsmouth Harbour and the 13:45, 14:45 and 15:45 from Ryde due to the adverse weather conditions. Hovertravel services remain suspended with an update expected at 16:45. UPDATE @ 15:00 – The 15:35, 16:45 and 17:55 Red Jets from Southampton and the 16:10, 17:20 and 18:30 from West Cowes have been cancelled due to adverse weather. UPDATE @ 15:54 – Wightlink has now cancelled the 16:15 Fastcat sailings from Portsmouth Harbour and the 16:45 from Ryde. UPDATE @ 16:45 – Wightlink’s 17:15 Fastcat from Portsmouth Harbour and the 17:45 from Ryde have now both been cancelled. Hovertravel says its services remain suspended with an update now not due until 18:45. UPDATE @ 17:15 – All Red Jet services have been suspended due to adverse weather. Red Funnel say an update is due at around 19:30