All four rail lines between Hitchin and Peterborough are currently blocked after high winds blew what is described as ‘a large section of warehouse roof’ onto power wires at Sandy.

Firefighters are at the scene assessing the situation, but all trains are being stopped at Peterborough or Hitchin.

The section of roof is from Bondaglass Voss Ltd in Sunderland Road.

It was reported to Beds Fire Service by an off duty firefighter.

A train was seen to stop on the line and a driver moved debris off the track.

Bus services are being put on for passengers, but they will take time to be in place.

A spokesman for Great Northern, which runs services on the route, says commuters are facing ‘very difficult’ journeys.

He said the hope is that the situation will improve when the storm recedes in the ‘late late’ afternoon.

The only trains currently running on Great Northern routes are between Letchworth and London King’s Cross.

There are no trains between Hertford and Stevenage after a tree fell on the track, and services to Royston are also limited.

A spokesman for Bondaglass told the Comet it was only a small three metre section of roof and had caused no damage. He said staff at the firm had carried on working and that while he understood the safety implications, staff at the rail firms had ‘panicked’ and closed the lines A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Passengers are facing significant disruption owing to fallen trees and other damage being caused by Storm Doris.

“Earlier this afternoon, the East Coast Main Line was blocked as large sections of metal, believed to come from a nearby building roof, were blown across the railway in the Sandy area. Workers from Network Rail visited the site along with the fire brigade and carried out work to clear the lines. Services are currently running at reduced speed.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers and advise them to consider changing or deferring their travel plans until after the storm has passed. The latest information is being provided to passengers by national rail enquiries although the volume of incidents means that the situation is changing rapidly.”