TRUCKERS were warned to delay their journeys to Felixstowe port today or face being parked-up in Operation Stack.

Richard Cornwell

TRUCKERS were warned to delay their journeys to Felixstowe port today or face being parked-up in Operation Stack.

Police and Highways Agency officials put Stack in place at breakfast-time as winds continued to gust over 45mph on the quaysides at Britain's biggest container port, making it too dangerous for the crane crews to work.

Port officials said holding areas at the terminal were filled, and lorries were being redirected by police to come off the A14 at Seven Hills and park on the old A45 at Levington.

“When the wind speed drops below our safe working limit it is likely to take some time to clear all waiting vehicles, in view of this hauliers travelling to the port are advised to delay their journey until normal operations resume,” said a port spokesman.

Emergency services were called to Whatfield Road, Naughton, between Hadleigh and Stowmarket, after a power cable blew down at 8.20am. In Southwold a road was blocked at 8am after an electricity post blew down across a street.

Temperatures lifted overnight so at least there was no frost to scrape off cars before the dash to work.

Weathermen said the rain was set to clear by afternoon, sweeping out into the North Sea.

Temperatures would remain at 4C or 5C but it would feel much colder because of the wind.