TRANSPORT services were slowly returning to normal yesterday.

Major disruptions to rail and air travel were encountered by passengers over the weekend.

Train operator GNER cancelled services between Newcastle and York for four hours on Saturday after high winds brought power lines down, and flights from Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley airports were affected.

By yesterday, the only disruption on the East Coast Main Line was an 80mph limit between Northallerton in North Yorkshire, and Dunbar, Scotland.

Spokesman John Gelson said the restriction affected electric trains only, and said commuters could expect to be delayed for no more than 30 minutes.

He said: "The area between Dunbar and Northallerton is the one most affected by the high winds.

"There is a lot of exposed line along the Northumberland coast, so the restrictions are there in the interests of safety.

"Services are operating pretty much as normal, and certainly a lot better than they were on Saturday morning."

Driving conditions improved yesterday and there was no repeat of the major road closures that blighted the area at the weekend.

Flights to and from the region's two airports were also back to normal yesterday.

However, police warned a worsening of the weather would create problems again.