A huge recovery operation is underway on the West Coast Main Line following the impacts of Storm Eowyn on Friday.

Strong winds buffeted the North West, with gusts in Cumbria reaching a staggering 83 mph. Across the route we saw over 60 incidents of flying debris, collapsed walls and even a roof affect the West Coast Mainline.

Network Rail engineers will work around-the-clock tonight and into Saturday to repair damaged infrastructure and re-open Scotland’s Railway following Storm Éowyn.

Passengers between Worcester and Hereford are being urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel ahead of six days of disruption which starts this Sunday (26 January).

• A new robust plan with end-date now completed 

• Much improved pedestrian access to be provided by the summer
• Network Rail to look at further help for businesses

From Saturday 1 February to Sunday 16 February, buses will replace trains between Guildford and Gatwick Airport while Network Rail engineers complete critical upgrades on the North Downs line for the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.

Passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line and Trent Valley line are being encouraged to check their journeys before travelling, as essential track upgrade work is planned across multiple weekends in the end of January and the beginning of February. This will result in longer journey times between Euston, the North West of England and Scotland.

Train services through Westbury in Wiltshire have returned to normal today following four weeks of round-the-clock track and signalling upgrades.

Passengers are urged to check before they travel on Friday with Storm Éowyn’s high winds bringing widespread disruption across the North and North East of England.