Latest news with #railwaydisruption
The Independent
05-08-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Work to restore power to thousands as Storm Floris moves on from Scotland
Engineers are working to restore power to around 22,000 properties in the north and north-east of Scotland on Tuesday morning after Storm Floris hit the country with high winds. Work is also under way to clear trees from several railway lines which were blocked by the storm. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it had restored power to 50,000 properties since the onset of the high winds. The company said: 'Now the winds have died down and moved into the North Sea, it's become safer for our field teams to get to faults on the network, although strong gusts are still forecast for today and we'll be monitoring the forecast closely. 'Our teams worked for as long as the light permitted last night and were deployed again early this morning, with the support of helicopters to assess the network from above. 'This has been a particularly damaging storm and we'll be working hard to reconnect customers as safely and quickly as we can – but it will take time.' The company, which is the network operator for northern Scotland, said it had organised meal provision in some of the affected communities. On Tuesday morning, Network Rail said it had reopened 30 out of 34 routes in Scotland. It said: 'We've dealt with hundreds of fallen trees overnight, with our response and maintenance working in teams to cover as much ground as possible. 'Our control-room team continue to co-ordinate the response on the lines which remain closed.' ScotRail said some routes in the north are still facing disruption. On Monday night, the Scottish Government's resilience room held an emergency meeting to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities. Ministers including Angela Constance were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, Sepa and transport and utilities companies. Trunk road companies are continuing to remove fallen trees and debris from roads. The storm left debris hanging from a gantry over the Kingston Bridge in central Glasgow on Monday. The Government said there have been 119 incidents on the rail network caused by Storm Floris, including 75 tree-related ones. With winds of up to 90mph in some parts of the country, a significant clear-up job will be required to inspect lines and carry out repair work before it is safe to restore a full service. More wet and windy weather is forecast for late on Wednesday and Thursday, but no Met Office weather warnings are in place for Tuesday. ScotRail is urging customers to check their journey via the app, website or JourneyCheck before they travel. On X, Network Rail said it has 'worked closely with all train operators' to co-ordinate the railway's response to the storm. The railway operator said: 'We've been working around the clock to keep services moving today. 'Our teams will continue inspecting routes for #StormFloris damage overnight, but this will continue into Tuesday morning.' Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: 'While the system later this week won't carry as many impacts as Storm Floris, a further period of unseasonable wet and windy weather is on the way late on Wednesday and into Thursday for those in north-western parts of the UK. 'An area of low pressure from the west will bring some strong winds, especially for those in western parts of Scotland. 'Gusts over 50mph are possible for a time. Some heavy rain will also accompany the strong winds, with up to 30mm possible.'
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
No trains to run on key Scottish lines after midday amid Storm Floris
NO trains will run on a range of key railway lines in Scotland from midday on Monday due to high wind speeds expected amid Storm Floris. Scots are being warned to plan ahead as the storm is set to batter parts of the country with winds of up to 85mph. An amber weather warning is in place for the majority of Scotland between 10am and 10pm on Monday. Network Rail announced on Sunday afternoon that it would be taking measures to keep passengers safe amid the bad weather. The following train lines will not operate after midday on Monday: Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness Dunblane - Perth Inverness – Aberdeen/Wick/Thurso/Kyle of Lochalsh West Highland Line (Helensburgh Upper – Oban, Fort William and Mallaig) Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: 'With the severity of Storm Floris becoming clear, our priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues. That is why we've taken the decision to close some parts of Scotland's railway early on Monday as the worst of the conditions hit the country. 'Our engineers will also need to thoroughly inspect the network for any damage before we reopen the lines and restart train services on Tuesday morning. 'Weather specialists, based in our control room, will monitor conditions closely throughout the storm, and our teams on the ground will be ready to deal with any issues caused by the weather as quickly as possible. We appreciate passengers' patience while we get through this unprecedented summer storm.' READ MORE: Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, added: 'The Met Office amber weather warnings for very high winds across the country will impact rail services on Monday. 'We recognise the impact that the withdrawal and alteration of train services will have on customers, but our first priority is always to ensure the safety of staff and passengers – and this is a necessary step to ensure everyone's safety. 'We will update our website, mobile app, and social media feeds with the latest travel advice, and customers should check their journey before travelling.'
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rail services across Scotland to end early due to Storm Floris
Rail services in parts of Scotland are to end early due to Storm Floris. Network Rail confirmed that it will be closing railway lines in the west and north of the country from noon on Monday. Storm Floris will bring unseasonably strong and disruptive winds to much of Scotland during Monday, The Met Office said. Gusts could reach 85mph on exposed coasts or hills. The amber warning - lasting from 10am to 10pm on Monday - means that some damage to trees and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, is expected. There could also be power cuts with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Read More: Scot Gov gives 'world's largest' windfarm green light after Donald Trump visit Rural Scots are right - maybe it is time to halt onshore windfarms Drone census reveals St Kilda now home to world's largest gannet colony In a statement on the warning, Police Scotland said: "The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for much of Scotland for Storm Floris on Monday. "There is a high risk of disruption and travel conditions may be hazardous. Extra caution should be taken by all road users. Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel. Consider delaying travel until conditions improve. If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions." Rail services will be withdrawn on several lines, including the West Highland Line, all routes north of Perth and in Fife from noon on Monday. All other routes will see a reduced timetable and longer journey times, as trains will be limited to a maximum speed of 50mph from 9am for safety reasons. Network Rail said that once the storm has passed, engineers will need to inspect the closed lines for any damage, with passengers being advised that services will start later on Tuesday across affected routes. Network Rail Scotland's helicopter will also "assist teams on the ground to complete essential checks across the network as quickly as possible". Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: 'With the severity of Storm Floris becoming clear, our priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues. That is why we've taken the decision to close some parts of Scotland's Railway early on Monday as the worst of the conditions hit the country. 'Our engineers will also need to thoroughly inspect the network for any damage before we reopen the lines and restart train services on Tuesday morning. 'Weather specialists, based in our control room, will monitor conditions closely throughout the storm, and our teams on the ground will be ready to deal with any issues caused by the weather as quickly as possible. We appreciate passengers' patience while we get through this unprecedented summer storm.' Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: 'The Met Office amber weather warnings for very high winds across the country will impact rail services on Monday. 'We recognise the impact that the withdrawal and alteration of train services will have on customers, but our first priority is always to ensure the safety of staff and passengers – and this is a necessary step to ensure everyone's safety. 'We will update our website, mobile app, and social media feeds with the latest travel advice, and customers should check their journey before travelling.' Passengers should check their journey before travelling with National Rail or their train operator. Lines which will close from noon on Monday, 4 August Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness Dunblane - Perth Inverness – Aberdeen/Wick/Thurso/Kyle of Lochalsh West Highland Line (Helensburgh Upper – Oban, Fort William and Mallaig)
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Trains cancelled after car crashes onto tracks in Harrogate
Trains between Leeds and York have been cancelled after a crash that left a car overturned on railway tracks in from the scene showed a vehicle overturned on tracks underneath a bridge at York Place. The road has been closed along with Stray Rail said services between Horsforth and Harrogate would not run, with disruption expected until the end of the Yorkshire Police said: "Emergency services are at the scene of a serious collision on York Place in Harrogate. Motorists are asked to avoid the area at this time."
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Birmingham New Street Station services hit by 'major problems'
Services out of a main Birmingham railway station have been affected by overrunning engineering works. All services through Birmingham New Street were affected by an 'operational issue' on Sunday morning, July 13. West Midlands Railway said there were 'major problems' for all services through the station. READ MORE: Busy Birmingham commuter routes face week-long summer shutdown The Cross City Line South service, from Redditch and Bromsgrove to the city, was likely to be suspended all morning, it said. A West Midlands Railway spokeswoman said: 'There were engineering works across a section of the track near New Street last night by Network Rail. The work has overran so the track is still unusable for trains. 'We are hoping to have it back within an hour.' Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox In a post on its social media channels the trains firm said: 'Operational issue at Birmingham New Street. 'All routes through Birmingham New Street are currently affected. The Cross City South is likely to be suspended all morning. 'Rail replacement transport has been ordered between Longbridge and Redditch. 'We have ticket acceptance with West Midlands Metro. We also have ticket acceptance with National Express West Midlands between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield, Coventry and Longbridge.'
