Residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being urged to stay safe and travel only if essential on Friday as Storm Eunice blows in.

Very strong winds are forecast for much of Friday with gusts potentially up to 70mph that could cause travel disruption on trains, roads and ferries and the potential for other disruption including fallen trees, flying debris, the risk of damage to property and flooding.

Tidal surges will increase the water levels and overtopping of sea defences is possible. We are urging people to take extreme care near coastal areas and to keep away from shoreline roads and paths, piers and promenades due to the likelihood of large waves.

There are a number changes to BCP Council services listed below:

• Refuse, recycling and cleansing collections are all suspended so please don’t put your bin out at the kerbside as it won’t be collected. Collections will resume next week as normal.

• All Recycling Centres will be closed.

• Please stay away from the coastline for your safety.

• Schools have been advised to close. Parents are being advised to check on school websites and also for arrangements for any key workers information. Some schools may not make a decision on their school closure until Friday morning when they know staff arrangements.

• The Twin Sails and Poole Bridge will operate on a revised lifting schedule subject to increasing wind speeds.

• Tricuro will be closing their day services

• Seafront toilets will be closed apart from Sandbanks, Bournemouth Pier and Boscombe Overstrand toilets which will be open between 9am and 4pm 

• The Tourist Information Centre and Smugglers Cove Golf on Pier Approach will be closed although the phone lines will remain open  

• Our piers will remain closed  

• Boscombe Car Park will remain closed 

• The local Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated.

Power cuts are likely and so residents should try to make sure their phones and other electronic devices are fully charged and they have access to torches.

Highway teams are on standby to deal with whatever the weather brings, whether there's a need to remove fallen trees, or close roads until hazards can be safely dealt with.

Chris Saunders, director of destination and culture and involved in Incident Command, said: “We are ready to respond to the potential impact of Storm Eunice over the next 24 hours.

“Our teams have been in this position many times before and are fully prepared.

“But we would urge all residents to try to remain safe, travel only if essential and please stay away from the coast.”