Passengers urged to ‘check before you travel’ as flooding affects Cumbria: Caldew River flooding

Thursday 13 Nov 2025

Passengers urged to ‘check before you travel’ as flooding affects Cumbria

Region & Route:
North West & Central

Rail passengers have been urged to check their journeys before travelling this morning after flooding in Cumbria and Lancashire overnight.

Some services, particularly in the Cumbria area are operating with delays and services between Carlisle and Whitehaven are currently suspended due to the poor weather conditions which have caused floods overnight.

Network Rail staff are in place at sites of severe flooding to monitor the situation.

The Environment Agency has issued multiple flood alerts and warnings across the region and the Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for rain, which is expected to continue throughout the day.

Phil James, Network Rail’s route director for the North West, said:

“Passengers should be aware that there is some disruption on the railway today as a result of flooding in the North West.

“Our teams are working hard to resolve issues where they arise and we will continue to work with partners to monitor the situation. The weather is expected to continue to get worse throughout today and tomorrow so I would urge passengers to check before you travel.”

new Yellow National Severe Weather Warning for rain has been issued for Friday into Saturday morning, covering much of England and Wales. Flooding is likely to bring travel and other impacts. 

For up-to-date travel information and detail on alternative travel please check www.nationalrail.co.uk. 

Notes to Editors

  • Network Rail regularly monitors flood warnings from the Environment Agency and Flood Forecasting Centre. We send people and equipment to at-risk areas so we’re in position to act quickly.
  • We also deploy flood defence systems, regularly maintain our extensive drainage system and have an ongoing project underway to build pumping stations in flood-prone locations.
  • Find out more about what we're doing to reduce the impacts of flooding on the railway here: Flooding - Network Rail

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
0330 854 0100
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

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