The arrival of Storm Éowyn is expected to bring the strongest winds in a decade and will severely impact rail services, with the rail industry urging passengers across Britain to check before they travel.

Areas in Northern England and Scotland are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Due to this, the rail industry has taken the difficult decision to close some lines. This includes north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line and north of Newcastle on the East Coast Main Line, with both of these closures impacting on Anglo-Scots services.

Other lines across Northern England, Scotland and Northern Wales may also be closed at short notice due to the impacts of the storm, so passengers are urged to keep up to date with the latest travel information and alternative travel options. These can be found on National Rail Enquiries or train operating company social media channels and websites.

Customers who were planning to travel on the parts of the railway that will be closed on Friday are advised to complete their journeys on Thursday 23 January instead where possible. Those who are unable to do so should speak to their train operating company for the latest information on ticket acceptance. 

Passengers on the East Coast are also reminded that, as a result of the programme of vital engineering upgrades on the East Coast Main Line, there will be no trains to or from London King’s Cross on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January.

Lisa Angus, Industry Weather Response Director, said: “The decision to close parts of the railway is never one that we take lightly, but the safety of passengers and our staff is our top priority. We have been preparing for the severe impacts of Storm Éowyn all week and will have scores of workers ready to deal with any incidents which occur, such as flash flooding or fallen trees and other items blocking the tracks.

“We ask residents living by the railway to tie down loose garden items, like trampolines or gazebos, which pose a risk of blowing onto the railway and could cause further unnecessary delays for passengers and freight services.”

For more information on how storms impact the railway and how Network Rail works to keep people on the move, you can visit https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/storms/.