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

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

Published 18 February 2022 | Average read time
3 min read
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Rail companies are warning you to not 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 you to get to your destination.

If you have a train ticket for today, you’ll be able to travel on equivalent services with your 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 blowing onto train lines, blocking trains and causing cancellations. 

Rail companies are urging you to check before you travel over the weekend as disruption will continue into tomorrow. We have extra engineers out across the network ready to react to problems when they happen. They’ll check all affected lines for damage before reintroducing services as quickly as possible.

Video: a tree catches fire after hitting the overhead line equipment at Beattock in Scotland

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive, at industry body 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, group director of our System Operator function, 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.”

  • There are widespread line closures today. Check the latest disruption here.
  • 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 which you bought it, 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. You’re advised to check with your train company.
  • Some train companies are accepting tickets for equivalent services on other days beyond Thursday and Saturday. You’re advised to check with your train company.

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A roof blown onto a platform beside a train at Carmarthen in Wales