Britain’s transport system is reeling in the wake of killer storms that disrupted road, rail, sea and air travel as strong winds and rain lashed the country. Gales of 99 miles per hour (158 kilometres per hour) that hit some parts of the coast have now largely swept away from Britain, leaving damage which insurers estimate will cost millions of pounds.

Richard Heard, 49, the managing director of Birmingham airport, was killed when a tree branch smashed into his car windscreen.

At Heathrow, the number of hourly flights allowed in and out of the west London airport were limited on Thursday.

British Airways had to scrap 104 domestic and short-haul flights. Other Heathrow carriers affected included bmi. Flights that were able to leave were subject to delays of about half an hour.

BA’s regional carrier BA Connect had to axe 26 flights in and out Manchester airport because of the bad weather.

Ryanair had to axe more than 30 flights and planes were unable to take off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport between 1.30pm and 4pm due to high winds.

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