Massive landslide caused by Storm Francis turns A5 road into river

The is the size of a landslide caused by Storm Francis that has closed a busy north Wales road.

The A5 was one of the worst hit roads in Wales after debris came off the mountainside around 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Traffic Wales shut the road in both directions between Betws-y-Coed and Bethesda and work got underway on Wednesday morning to clear the site.

A social media statement from the organisation that looks after roads in Wales said: "We have been on site early this morning and are in the process of clearing the debris.  Thank you for your patience."

They also shared pictures that show the amount of debris that was left strewn across the road during the storm that brought 75mph winds to Wales and torrential rain.

Clear up has begun on the A5 (Traffic Wales)

The extent of the landslide on the A5 (Traffic Wales)

The worst of the weather has now passed, but there are still delays on some train services in parts of Wales and work is underway to remove fallen trees from several roads.

Here are the roads that were affected on Wednesday morning:

• A fallen tree has blocked the A44 at Goginan in Ceredigion. It has happened near the Druid Inn.
• A landslip has closed the A5 from Bethesda to Betws-y-Coed.
• A fallen tree is blocking part of the A4080 at Hermon on the Isle of Anglesey, not far from the Pump House.
• Flooding has closed the A4085 from Groeslon and the Cwellyn Arms.
• Flooding has also closed part of the A4086 at Nant Peris in Gwynedd.
• There is also flooding on the A4244 at Brynefail in Gwynedd.
• Reports that the A479 near Talgarth in Powys in both directions partially blocked due to fallen tree near Farmers Arms. Traffic is coping well.

Gwynedd was the worst hit region in Wales on Tuesday night with around 40 people were evacuated because of flooding.

North Wales Police said the River Ogwen burst its banks in some areas requiring evacuation of properties in the Bethesda and Beddgelert areas.

In Bethesda, people were rescued from chalets and homes and taken to the local leisure centre.

About five Beddgelert householders were rescued by boat, the fire and rescue service said.

This was the scene in the area last night.

An inspection will take place this morning to see if it is safe for them to return.

Transport for Wales was also warning of delays on Wednesday morning between Machynlleth and Newtown in Powys because a fallen tree was blocking the line.

There were also delays between Pwllheli and Criccieth after a railway embankment was darmaged.