Storm Floris causes travel disruption as Britain braces for 90mph winds
A yellow warning for wind in place for northern parts of the UK was upgraded to amber for much of Scotland with winds expected to reach 90mph from 10am.
Train operator LNER told passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday morning, while Avanti West Coast advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, warning it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather.
Network Rail said several lines will be closed from 12pm on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times.
Western coastal areas are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, although strong winds and rain will likely lead to disruption at Edinburgh's festivals.
The amber warning, in place from 10am to 10pm, states the potential 'danger to life' as a result of flying debris, large waves, and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
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The Guardian
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Rail services in parts of England are cut as tracks are disturbed by lack of moisture
Rail services in parts of southern England are being reduced because embankments have shrunk and disturbed the track after the sunniest spring in more than a century. Trains are unable to travel at full speed over embankments in Dorset and Devon that have contracted because of a lack of moisture in the soil. In the latest example of extreme weather affecting the UK's rail infrastructure, South Western Railway said it had no alternative but to reduce the number of trains running for a safe and reliable service. Journeys from London Waterloo to Exeter will take an hour longer, with trains running at 40mph instead of 85mph for sections of the route. This year has seen the second driest spring on record for England, with the least amount of rainfall since 1976. The lack of moisture has caused embankments to shrink on a 12-mile stretch of track between Gillingham in Dorset and Axminster in Devon. The speed restrictions on the single-track route means trains cannot pass at the usual times and places, and SWR said it had been forced to cut services from the schedule. The operator warned that dry conditions were likely to continue and that further speed restrictions could be needed. SWR's chief operating officer, Stuart Meek, said: 'We are very sorry for the disruption that customers will experience due to this change, as we know just how important the West of England line is to the communities it serves. 'We have not taken this decision lightly … However, to continue operating a safe and reliable service, we have no alternative but to introduce a reduced timetable. Network Rail's operations director, Tom Desmond, said: 'The safety of our customers is our number one priority, which is why we must impose these speed restrictions. We will regularly review conditions in order to restore the normal timetable as soon as possible.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion The changing climate has caused a number of problems for the railway in recent years, including the need to impose speed restrictions in extreme summer heat for fear of buckling rails. Train services were meanwhile cut back in Kent last year after the wettest winters on record also affected tracks and embankments. Network Rail is spending almost £3bn over the period 2024-29 to tackle the effects of climate change, having already increased its budget to maintain earthworks in the wake of the Stonehaven disaster, when heavy rain and poor drainage led to a landslip.
The Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Sun
When will the hot weather return? Met Office reveals ‘highs of 36C' to hit the UK after Storm Floris
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North Wales Live
30 minutes ago
- North Wales Live
20-hour wildfire near Haven holiday park prompts 'serious risks to life' warning
A wildfire in Gwynedd burnt for around 20 hours before it was brought under control. No injuries were reported during the incident near the Haven Hafan y Môr Holiday Park on the Llŷn Peninsula. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) said the blaze broke out on Saturday afternoon, August 2. It was reported by the service to be in the Abererch area, between the Haven and Abererch roundabouts on the A497. Fire chiefs said a controlled burn had spread beyond its intended area. They have now issued a reminder to landowners and the public of the need to follow safety guidance when undertaking controlled burns. It comes as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said the entire country was now classified as being in 'Prolonged Dry Weather ' status. Storm Floris brought significant amounts of rain to North Wales this morning (Monday, August 4) but the environmental body said groundwater levels remain low almost everywhere. Crews from Pwllheli and Caernarfon were mobilised to tackle Saturday's wildfire at 2.48pm. A NWFRS spokesperson said: 'Thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of our teams, the fire was successfully brought under control by 10.30 the following morning. 'No injuries were reported, and the affected area was monitored to prevent further flare-ups. We would like to remind landowners and members of the public of the importance of following safety guidance when undertaking controlled burns. 'Uncontrolled fires pose serious risks to life, property, and the environment.' NWFRS has advice here on how to carry out controlled burning safely and legally. Habitats and farmland under threat NRW said this summer's mostly warm and dry conditions are taking a toll on the natural environment. River flows have fallen and soil moisture levels are low – in North Wales they are 60%-80% below saturation levels, according to the Cosmos-UK monitoring network. In an online blog, NRW said: 'The long-term impact of those warmer drier conditions on our habitats and species in late summer/autumn, and on sectors like agriculture, are yet to be fully realised across Wales.' In July North Wales saw more rain than other parts of the country – rainfall in the Dee catchment was 106% of the long term average for July. The Clwyd catchment also saw more rain then usual for July (105%). Elsewhere, however, the picture was less rosy, with 56% of average July rainfall in north Ceredigion and 40% in the Upper Severn catchment. The Lower Wye area saw just 34%. Meanwhile, temperatures in some rivers, like the Usk and Wye, have been averaging above 20C. Anglers are being advised to stop fishing for salmon and sea trout as, in these situations, post-release mortality 'increases markedly'. NRW said the three-month forecast (August to October) indicated the chances of another warm period is 'higher than normal'. It added: 'This brings an increased risk of heatwaves and heat-related impacts early in the period. 'The ongoing dry weather, following a dry spring is continuing to put an increased pressure on crops, livestock and grass growth with the risk of potential knock on impacts to this year's harvest and possibly food availability next year.' Warmer days are having other consequences too. On Sunday (August 3), in relatively balmy conditions, the North Wales Police team in North Flintshire reported an unusual spike in incidents requiring a blue light response. The majority were alcohol related, with people reporting possible drink driving and drunks being aggressive or walking on the road.
