TRAIN passengers are facing widespread disruption today as Storm Floris brings high winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK — with some routes so severely affected that travellers are being told ‘do not travel’.
The worst of the disruption is being felt in northern England and Scotland, where several operators have issued “do not travel” warnings.
w8mediaAll rail passengers are being urged to check their journey before travelling.[/caption]
Services that do run are expected to be extremely busy, with delays, cancellations and replacement transport likely.
Severe weather alerts across the North
The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warnings for large parts of northern England, northern Wales and Scotland.
Gusts of more than 70mph and intense downpours are affecting services, with the storm causing fallen trees, flooded tracks, and damaged power lines.
Rail operators are warning of major issues across the network.
Avanti West Coast is advising customers not to travel north of Preston today due to severe disruption.
Caledonian Sleeper services are also affected.
CrossCountry has told passengers not to travel to or from Scotland.
LNER and Lumo have both issued do not travel messages for routes north of Newcastle.
Northern services are heavily impacted, as are ScotRail’s.
‘Do not travel’ warnings on key routes
TransPennine Express is urging passengers not to travel north of Carlisle or Newcastle.
Elsewhere, disruption is being reported across various regions.
Trains are delayed through Preston until at least 4pm.
Services between Huyton and St Helens Central are affected until around 3.30pm.
Disruption across multiple regions
Delays through East Croydon are expected to continue until 4pm, while flooding is causing disruption between Chester and Llandudno Junction until at least 4.30pm.
Services between Plymouth and Gunnislake are also hit, with issues expected to last until 10.30pm.
The 5-day forecast
Today:
Storm Floris brings unseasonably strong winds during Monday, accompanied by heavy rain at first, especially in the north.
Turning drier from the west later with sunny spells later that will spread eastwards through the day, though still windy.
Tonight:
Rain in the southeast to begin with but slowly clearing. Clear spells with some shower in the north.
Staying windy here but slowly easing by the early morning.
Tuesday:
Staying blustery across the north with some showers in the northwest to start, becoming more widespread across northern areas.
These ease later, but feeling cooler than in recent days.
Wednesday to Friday:
Drier and warmer on Wednesday with lighter winds. Generally cloudier again on Thursday with outbreaks of rain for some.
Showers continue in the north on Friday.
Passengers travelling between Bedford and Bletchley are facing reduced services for the rest of the day.
Disruption between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals, as well as Reading, is expected to continue until around 3.45pm.
Buses are replacing trains between Sellafield and Workington until further notice, and also on services to and from Crewkerne until Monday August 11.
All rail passengers are being urged to check their journey before travelling..
Speed restrictions are in place in many areas, and conditions may cause significant delays.
A spokesperson warned: “Storm Floris may impact your journey today, check before you travel.”
Where do the warnings cover?
Amber warning:
Central Scotland, Tayside & Fife
Grampian
Highlands & Eilean Siar
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Strathclyde
Yellow warning:
Central Scotland, Tayside & Fife
Grampian
Highlands & Eilean Siar
North East England
North West England
Northern Ireland
Orkney & Shetland
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Strathclyde
North Wales
Yorkshire & Humber
PARail operators are warning of major issues across the network[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
