Storm Franklin: Passengers told to ‘avoid travel’ by train on Monday as storms paralyse networks

Credit: PA

Severe weather brought further travel chaos on Monday with rail services paralysed by gale-force winds and lashing rain and major roads closed as Storm Franklin, the third named storm in a week, sweeps in.

National Rail has warned anyone making essential journeys once services resume to expect “major disruption” to routes “across most of Great Britain” – including cancellations, delays and slower speeds onboard.

This comes after the Met Office issued an amber wind warning for Northern Ireland and a milder yellow wind warning for much of the rest of the UK. The forecaster warned that the south of the country will be particularly hard-hit by stormy weather during the morning rush hour.

Relief as severe flood warnings for River Mersey stood down
Storm Franklin: Latest updates as Yorkshire hit by flooding

Rail services

Many train operators urged passengers not to travel as lines are blocked by fallen trees and flooding caused by Storm Franklin.

Train operator Northern has suspended all services in north-west England until at least 10.30am “due to the severe weather and numerous incidents caused by Storm Franklin”.

It told passengers: “Do not attempt to travel, do not head to stations as there are no alternatives.”

Flooding at Rotherham station is so bad that the train tracks are not visible.

There is severe disruption on many of its routes, including between Sheffield and Manchester, Scarborough and Hull, York and Sheffield, Bradford and Leeds, Chester and Manchester, and Carlisle and Newcastle.

Rail operator TransPennine Express told customers on Twitter: “Due to a river flooding the railway at Mexborough, trains are currently unable to operate between Doncaster, Meadowhall and Sheffield. All lines are blocked.

“This is preventing road transport in the area. Customers are advised only to travel if their journey is essential.”

Over 300 flooding incidents and homes without power as Storm Franklin hits
Passengers at Waterloo station wait for delayed trains in the aftermath of Storm Eunice on Friday Credit: James Manning/PA

Great Western Railway (GWR) reiterated the same plea for customers to travel only “if absolutely necessary” as services are expected to be “significantly disrupted across the network” on Monday.

South Western Railway also urged customers not to travel, warning the weather conditions were “likely to hamper efforts to help stranded customers”.

Network Rail posted a message on its Kent and Sussex Twitter feed which stated: “Our advice is to stay home if you can as disruption is likely to get worse as the day goes on.”

Widespread emergency 50mph speed restrictions have been introduced, causing further delays to journeys.

Transport for London said the London Overground is suspended between Stratford and Richmond, Stratford and Clapham Junction, Romford and Upminster, and Sydenham and West Croydon due to damage caused by severe weather.

South Eastern and Southern are expecting widespread cancellations and delays.

Many have introduced speed restrictions across the network due to the severe weather.

They are recommending people only travel for "essential" journeys.

Flooding at Rotherham station is so bad that the train tracks are not visible. Credit: Twitter/northernassist

National Rail said the following train operating companies will be affected:

  • Avanti West Coast

  • c2c

  • Caledonian Sleeper

  • Chiltern Railway

  • CrossCountry

  • East Midlands Railway

  • Great Northern

  • Great Western Railway

  • Greater Anglia

  • Heathrow Express

  • London Northwestern Railway

  • LNER

  • Northern

  • ScotRail

  • Southeastern

  • Southern

  • South Western Railway

  • Stansted Express

  • Thameslink

  • TransPennine Express

  • Transport for Wales

  • West Midlands Railway

Roads

In the North West, stretches of two motorways were closed after incidents during the storm.

National Highways said the M60 in Greater Manchester was closed between junctions 10 and 11 due to an overturned HGV which had come to rest on the central reservation.

The M6 was closed in Lancashire between junction 27 and 28 after an HGV hit a bridge and caught fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reported saving a number of people from stranded cars on the A61 at Harewood Bridge, with more reports of roads left impassable due to flash flooding across the region.

Several major road bridges were closed on Monday morning, including the M48 Severn Bridge connecting England and Wales, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex.

The southbound QEII bridge at Dartford Crossing was closed overnight due to strong winds.

Flooding debris left in Didsbury after Storm Franklin. Credit: PA images

Flights

Some flights coming in and out of Birmingham and East Midlands airport are experiencing delays - check before you travel.