A conifer came crashing down into a busy main road in Haddenham near Ely today miraculously missing pedestrians and cars.

Cambs Times: Fallen tree, Gedney, nr Long Sutton, caused power failures todayFallen tree, Gedney, nr Long Sutton, caused power failures today (Image: Archant)

Gusts in excess of 40mph sent the tree toppling into High Street at about 2.15pm, with only a few roof tiles and some telephone line damaged.

Just a few yards either side of where it fell, and the tree would have smashed into a row of parked cars and the village's main convenience shop.

Ken Walker, proprietor of the Spa shop, in High Street, said: 'Luckily it was only a few roof tiles and the phone line of the house next door to us that was damaged. It completely missed us.'

A PCSO was sent out to control traffic while workmen took a chainsaw to the trunk of three to unblock the road. Cars were able to pass again by about 3pm but the trunk of the tree remained in the road.

Meanwhile, at Gedney Bank, near Long Sutton, a fallen tree caused power outages after colliding with electricity cables.

Fallen trees were also reported on the A10, near Stretham, and on Chain Causeway, near Sutton.

Rail commuters are facing a difficult journey home tonight after an obstruction on the line has caused delays of up to an hour between Cambridge and Ely.

Rail chiefs have also said overhead wire problems are always causing delays of up to an hour between Peterborough and Huntingdon.

First Capital Connect, Cross Country and Greater Anglia services have been affected.

National Rail website is reporting that 'an obstruction on the line between Cambridge and Ely causing delays of up to 60 minutes to journeys between Cambridge and Ely'.

Cross Country routes subject to delay are those between Stansted and Birmingham whilst First Capital says the service between Kings Cross and Kings Lynn is affected.

Greater Anglia trains between Cambridge and Norwich may be delayed.