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Friday 18 Feb 2022

Rail companies issue ‘do not travel’ warning as storm Eunice causes line closures

Region & Route:

National

Rail companies are warning customers not to travel today as Storm Eunice causes major disruption and widespread line closures. The severe weather will affect all forms of transport across the country meaning rail companies will struggle to provide alternative means for people to get to their destination.

People who have a train ticket for today will be able to travel on equivalent services with their train operator any time on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, or will be entitled to a fee-free refund.

Strong winds set to reach as high as 90mph in some areas are affecting much of the UK, with red weather warnings threatening ‘danger to life’. The high winds mean trees and debris are being blown onto train lines, which is blocking trains and causing cancellations. 

Rail companies are urging people to check before they travel over the weekend as disruption will continue into tomorrow. Network Rail have additional engineers out across the network ready to react to problems when they happen and will check all affected lines for damage before reintroducing services as quickly as possible.

​​​​​ Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer at the Rail Delivery Group said:

“Storm Eunice is causing widespread damage and we’ve had to respond by closing lines to keep our customers and staff safe. We’re telling people not to travel today and instead to claim a fee-free refund or use their ticket over the weekend. We are urging people to continue to check before they travel as we clear up after the storm.”

Jake Kelly, Network Rail’s group director, System Operator, said:

“There is severe disruption across multiple rail lines today, so we are continuing to ask passengers not to travel and make alternative arrangements wherever possible. Starting tonight and carrying on through the weekend we will be working round the clock to fix the damage that the storm has done to the railway, but passengers should be checking their journeys over the weekend as we carry out these repairs.”

Notes:

• For further details, including requests for interview, contact Network Rail on: mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
• The Rail Delivery Group represents train operators and Network Rail. The press office is available at media@raildeliverygroup.com
• There are widespread line closures today. Check the latest disruption here: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.aspx
• Check before you travel: You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner. If you would like to follow this incident on Twitter, please use  #StormEunice
• You may return an unused Ticket for today to the original retailer or Train Company from whom it was purchased, where you will be given a full refund with no administration fee charged.
• Some train companies are accepting tickets for different operators over the coming days. Customers are advised to check with their train company.
• Some train companies are accepting tickets for equivalent services on other days beyond Thursday and Saturday. Customers are advised to check with their train company.