Media centre

Friday 3 Oct 2025

Passengers advised to check before they travel as railway prepares for Storm Amy

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

Passengers are advised to check before they travel this weekend as Storm Amy is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain.

Teams across the North West are preparing for heavy rain and winds of up to 60 mph from this evening (Friday 3 October) until the early hours of Sunday morning (5 October). 

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind in the Lancashire and Cumbria area. Passengers travelling in those areas should take extra care and plan their journeys in advance. 

Strong wind can bring down trees onto the railway which can block the path of trains. Wind can also damage overhead line equipment, which supplies power to electric trains in many parts of the North West.

People living near to the railway are being urged to secure loose objects in their gardens, such as trampolines and furniture, as these objects can blow onto the tracks and block the line.

Darren Miller, Network Rail’s North West infrastructure director, said: “We are doing everything we can to prepare the railway for the impacts from Storm Amy. I’d urge passengers to check before they travel as there may be some disruption to services during the extreme weather.

"If you live near the railway, please secure any loose objects in your gardens such as trampolines and furniture. It is a serious safety risk if they blow onto the tracks and creates more work for our teams who will be on hand around the clock to keep passengers safely on the move.”

Some speed restrictions will be in place for high-risk flood areas and locations where the wind is thought to be at its strongest. 

Train operator Avanti West Coast has amended its timetable for journeys north of Preston during the storm.

Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said: “Due to the strong winds and heavy rain forecast with Storm Amy, we’ll be operating an amended timetable north of Preston from 5pm on Friday 3 October and all-day Saturday 4 October with longer journey times.

“We strongly recommend customers booked to travel to or from destinations north of Preston on Friday 3 October make their journeys earlier in the day using their existing ticket which is valid any time. Alternatively, customers can claim a full refund. We’re monitoring the weather closely and advise customers to check before they travel.”

Passengers are also being reminded of work to replace the Greek Street bridge in Stockport this weekend (4 and 5 October) which closes the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly. Rail replacement buses are available along this route. Rail journeys between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly are being diverted around the work.

Passengers should check with their train operator or on the National Rail website for up-to-date travel advice during the weekend.