Latest news with #Avanti West Coast
Sky News
04-08-2025
- Climate
- Sky News
UK weather: Storm Floris sparks amber warning
Why you can trust Sky News Storm Floris is nearing the UK - with train companies in the hardest-hit areas urging passengers not to travel today. The Met Office has issued an amber "danger to life" warning for wind in parts of Scotland, with gusts of up to 90mph possible. That alert is in force from 10am until 10pm, with forecasters warning "unusually strong" winds could close roads and damage buildings. A wider yellow warning - covering the North of England and Northern Ireland - is also active between 6am this morning and 11.59pm tonight. Train operator LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle, while Avanti West Coast has advised its customers not to travel north of Preston as it will be "heavily affected" by the weather. "We're expecting heavy rain and high winds to result in disruption of services," LNER said in a statement. Some trains have already been cancelled in Scotland, with Network Rail saying several lines will be closed from 12pm. Other routes will run with a reduced timetable and longer journey times. Among the routes set to close at midday are Edinburgh to Fife, Perth to Dundee, and Aberdeen to Inverness, as well as the West Highland Line. The storm could also lead to road closures - and several ferry services have already been cancelled by Scottish operator CalMac. The Met Office said that much of Scotland, particularly western coastal areas, will be battered by heavy rain and winds of up to 85mph. The strongest gusts are expected this afternoon and into the evening - but a Met Office spokesperson warned "there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris". Sky News' weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Storm Floris is likely to bring a spell of weather not usually associated with the height of summer. "Travelling across the Atlantic, this otherwise unremarkable, low-pressure system will cross a powerful jet stream, exiting on the cold side, renowned for storm formation." She said inland gusts of 50mph to 60mph are widely possible, potentially reaching 80mph to 90mph over exposed coasts, hills and bridges. "The rain associated with this storm will largely clear through early tomorrow, but it's as the rain goes that the winds start to strengthen," she warned.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
How work on Stockport's £20m new bridge will hit rail passengers
No trains will call at Stockport station for three weeks when a £20m project to replace a bridge in the town centre begins next monthThe West Coast Main Line will be closed from 2 August as part of the work by Network Rail. It means no trains will run on the line between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent via Macclesfield and Cheadle Hulme, the operator has will also be no train services on various other lines into Stockport. When will train services change? Some rail services will be diverted and replacement buses will run between 2 and 22 August while the new bridge will be Magee, Avanti West Coast station manager at Stockport, said there would be no trains to or from Stockport for 21 she said the station's ticket office and underpass "will be open as normal during the works and the Avanti West Coast team will be on hand to support those making journeys via rail replacement bus". How will this affect me? Ms Magee said commuters should "plan ahead, leave extra time for their journeys, and check the National Rail website, as well as with their train operator for the latest updates".Stephen Rhodes, director of bus for Transport for Greater Manchester, said: "When the rail line is closed in August we'll be accepting rail tickets on Bee Network buses in the area to help reduce the impact of the closure and make sure people can get where they need to be."Rail tickets will also be accepted on Metrolink tram services between Altrincham and Navigation Road. Engineers and utility companies plan to divert services, such as water and electricity, from below the road and into a temporary bridge that was built in should ensure local residents will have access to utilities during the work in August. Why is the bridge being replaced? The current bridge on Greek Street was built in 1958 and has "reached the end of its life", Network Rail Rhodes said the replacement of the structure - under which about 400 passenger and 50 freight services pass daily – would "ensure the safety of road and rail users for generations to come".Two cranes will be used to replace the structure, which has about 200 concrete beams, with a new bridge that is expected to last about 120 years. When will the roundabout open? Normal railway services are expected to resume on the morning of the 23 August however the overall project is expected to be completed when the road is reinstated over the bridge in spring Greek Street roundabout will then reopen. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
