The battle to get home for Christmas: Rail firms warn passengers to travel early amid forecast for heavy rain and 80mph winds

Millions of festive travellers face major disruption to their Christmas travel plans with severe gales and heavy rain expected to hit Britain tomorrow.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for tomorrow, with the threat of gusts of up to 80mph and localised flooding in pockets of the UK.
Motorists have been braced to prepare for delays on the roads - particularly those heading to the South-West of England and parts of Scotland.
Some 26 rail operators have warned services will be cut and speed restrictions imposed, with tens of thousands of people advised to travel today instead.
Many networks have made contingency plans, with Government-run East Coast halving services and Virgin Trains slashing them by up to two-thirds.

On the road: Motorists face disruption as heavy rain, pictured on the A14 near Cambridge today, and winds of up to 80mph are expected to hit the UK

Under water: The River Ouse bursts its banks in York city centre on this morning, causing flooding along the riverside

Three day forecast: There will be heavy rain across much of the country tomorrow, potentially causing localised flooding and travel chaos

Many operators removed limits on day tickets in an effort to stop customers travelling tomorrow, when 50mph speed restrictions are likely to be in place.
Robin Gisby, for Network Rail, said: ‘Our fundamental concern over the next 48 hours is to get everyone where they want to be for Christmas.’
He added: ‘I want to be very clear that our priority is running as many trains as we can safely, rather than worrying about hitting the timetable bang on.’
Mr Gisby said ‘hundreds of engineers and other staff will be across the network over the next two days, ready to react quickly to any problems’.
He stated that Network Rail would be checking their own weather stations rather than relying o just on outside forecasts.

 

The Environment Agency had 73 flood alerts and six flood warnings in place at 8pm tonight, with the majority in the South-East and South-West.
Residents in York have already been hit by severe flooding after heavy rain overnight across North Yorkshire caused the River Ouse to burst its banks.
Calum MacColl, a forecaster with the Met Office, said those looking to travel home for Christmas ought to prepare for problems on the roads and rails.
He said: ‘There is scope for very heavy rain, potentially some localised flooding, and strong winds in some areas so there is a risk of travel disruption.
‘We have got a depression in the Atlantic pushing towards us from tomorrow morning itself.  The day will start quite nicely in some places.

Weather watch: The Environment Agency had 73 flood alerts and six flood warnings in place tonight, with the majority in the South-East and South-West

Forecasters are predicting more flooding and storm force winds over the Christmas period as residents in York woke up to flooded streets this morning

Watch out: A family is caught by a huge wave crashing down onto Aberystwyth promenade in West Wales

Caught in the tide: A hide tide and strong winds cause huge waves on Aberystwyth promenade in West Wales

‘But there will soon be heavy outbreaks of rain in the South-West and South Wales.  That will quickly move into the North East, and it will bring gales.’
Mr MacColl said winds of 50 to 60mph were likely as a weather system sweeps across Britain, with isolated gusts of up to 80mph in some places.
He said: ‘Once the weather sets in, it will be staying all day.’ The worst of the weather is expected to clear by the end of Christmas Eve.
Those looking to make an early getaway have been hit by minor problems, with some England to France ferries delayed due to poor weather.
And train companies have already looked ahead to tomorrow, advising customers to plan their journeys around the heavy winds to avoid disruption.
East Coast is halving services from teatime tomorrow - with just four trains an hour instead of the usual eight in and out of London King’s Cross.
It warned disruption would continue for two days well into Christmas Eve. The news means up to 2,400 passengers an hour will be left stranded.
An East Coast spokesman said: ’As  result of the high winds and heavy rainfall, and the restrictions in place, it is regretted that many East Coast services will be subject to delay and cancellation over the next two days.’
Customers were urged to travel early tomorrow or ‘later than planned’ on Christmas Eve.
A spokesman said: 'East Coast sincerely apologises to customers for the inconvenience this will cause, especially as it is very conscious many people will be travelling just before Christmas on Monday and Tuesday.'
Virgin Trains meanwhile is to slash services by up to two thirds between London Euston, Manchester and Birmingham.

Calm before the storm: A lone horse stands in a field near Bridgwater, Somerset, underneath a rainbow after a rain shower

Dampening Christmas spirits: The latest flooding in York on Sunday comes just days before Christmas

Many residents living in York city centre face a clean-up operation after the River Ouse burst its banks

The normal service of the trains an hour each way will reduce to two an hour from 3pm and then just one an hour from 6pm.
All other routes - including to and from Glasgow - will continue at one per hour as long as conditions allow, as part of their contingency to keep all destinations served with at least a skeleton service.

CHRISTMAS WEATHER FORECAST

Tomorrow: A stormy day with cloud and heavy rain sweeping in from the south-west. The rain will spread to most areas by the afternoon and only slowly clear from north-western parts to leave squally showers by the evening. Gales or severe gales

Tomorrow night: Apart from the South-East, rain will clear from much of the country to scattered showers and clear spells. The showers will be frequent and wintry in Scotland. Becoming stormy in Scotland with severe gales

Christmas Eve: Stormy in Scotland. Rain in the South-East will clear to leave sunny spells and wintry showers across the UK, mainly in the West.

Christmas Day: The strong winds will gradually ease and it will be a bright day with sunny spells and showers most frequent in the West along the coast

‘Clearly this is not good news on this of all days,’ said a Virgin spokesman.
He added that all peak travel restrictions are lifted until close of service on Christmas Eve, but stressed this could be many hours earlier than normal as services wind down for the break.
Virgin said ‘delays and disruption’ were expected from mid-afternoon tomorrow with fewer services running because of cancellations.’
The spokesman said: ‘Network Rail expects to apply a 50mph speed limit between London Euston and Birmingham New Street and between Rugby and Nuneaton from the afternoon of Monday, meaning we will not be able to run a full service.’
It noted: ‘We will plan to run services on all our routes, but with fewer trains than normal between London and Manchester and London and Birmingham.’
A First Capital Connect spokesman said: ‘Due to the severe weather expected from Monday until Tuesday, Network Rail are going to implement speed restrictions on all our routes and we will be running a reduced timetable on both days.
‘We are advising customers to try and get home early on Monday and wherever possible not to travel on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Services are likely to remain disrupted until the close of service on Christmas Eve.’
East Midlands Trains have planned alterations to some services to take the weather into account.
A travel notice said: ‘At present, it is not known the exact level of service which will be provided, but it is anticipated that approximately two trains per hour will run between Sheffield/Derby/Nottingham and all other stations to/from London St Pancras International from 12:00.
‘East Midlands Trains are advising passengers with tickets dated for Monday, December 23 that they may travel today. Advance purchase ticket holders may also travel on services earlier than the time specified on the ticket.’

Making a splash: 10ft waves roll in today on the coast at Newhaven in East Sussex, ahead of the Christmas storms

Stormy weather: Strong waves hit the coast of Brighton in East Sussex, as forecasters warned of the threat of localised flooding in pockets of the UK

Getting worse: The Portland Bill Lighthouse on the Dorset coast where the weather is making the waves increasingly choppy

The Cumbria Coast railway line that runs between Carlisle and Barrow is closed at Harrington, Workington, due to a landslide. The line is expected to remain closed today while repair work is carried out.

The Environment Agency said people are urged to stay away from promenades along the south coast tomorrow and on Tuesday because of the wet and windy conditions.
The storm is due to hit the south-west of England first and flood alerts are already in place for a number of coastal areas and river valleys in Cornwall, including the Lower, Middle and Upper River Tamar, the Lyhner and the Tavy at Tavistock.
David Jordan, Environment Agency director of operations, said: ‘Unsettled weather is set to continue throughout the Christmas period, with heavy rain and wind affecting many parts of England, so people should check the flood forecast on the Environment Agency website to help plan - and sign up to flood warnings.’
Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, said: ‘Three-quarters of cars that get stuck are written off as it only takes a tiny amount of ingested water to wreck the engine.
‘You're also putting yourself at risk as flood water can mask all manner of hazards, for example open manholes, and just one foot or 30 centimetres of moving water can float your car.
‘Moving flood water, particularly, is powerful, relentless and deceptively dangerous, so just stay out.’
Mike Cooper, of Richfords Fire and Flood company in Redruth, Cornwall, urged families in 'at risk' areas to store iPods, tablets and other expensive Christmas presents upstairs.
'You've got new and valuable items in your home. Often you have family down for Christmas, so they bring presents down as well. All of a sudden you have tens of thousands of pounds of presents below the tree.
'I would advise keeping presents out of harm's way, upstairs for example until Christmas day, taking them down just before so that people can enjoy Christmas without the real tragedy of flood waters washing presents around the living room - which is sadly something that we see.'
The Government’s Highways Agency issued an amber alert warning  drivers in the East, South East and South West that heavy rain and high winds would cause ‘significant disruption’ including bridge closures and speed restrictions on motorways and major roads.
The following trains companies are also warning of potential disruption to services because of the weather tomorrow: Arriva Trains Wales; c2c; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; First Great Western; First Hull Trains; First TransPennine Express; Gatwick Express; Grand Central; Greater Anglia; Heathrow Connect; Heathrow Express; Island Line; London Midland; Merseyrail; Northern Rail; ScotRail; South West Trains; Southeastern; Southern and Stansted Express.
Rail bosses say the 'knock-on effect’ will run well into Christmas Eve.  Some 20,000 were scheduled to run before services wind down for Christmas.
And with new research by NCP car parks finding that a third - 33 per cent - of all those planning to head overseas this Christmas will leave between December 21 and 23, holidaymakers are being urged to check their travel routes and leave more time for their journeys.
Heathrow Airport has urged customers to check the status of their flights tomorrow with their airlines. A spokesman said: ‘We don't currently have any weather-related cancellations for tomorrow.’

Susan Libeks leads her horse Andante to shelter as a heavy snow storm hits Kincraig, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Heavy snow caused a two mile traffic tailback on the A9 in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish highlands

Train delays: Many networks have made contingency plans, with Virgin Trains slashing services by up to two-thirds. London King's Cross is pictured on Friday

And British Airways said: ’We plan to operate a normal schedule on Monday. Customers are advised to check BA.com for the latest flight information’.

WINTER WONDERLAND TO CLOSE

The Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, central London, will close tomorrow due to the weather.
A spokesman said: ‘Due to the severe weather conditions of high winds and extreme rain predicted for London tomorrow, PWR Events and The Royal Parks have taken the decision to close Hyde Park Winter Wonderland on Monday for the day.
‘All ticket holders for the Lycamobile Ice Rink, Zippos Circus, Magical Ice Kingdom and the Giant Observation Wheel will be refunded for Monday.
‘We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused, but Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be open as usual again on Tuesday at 10am.'

Meanwhile engineers have restored power to 1,300 homes which were without electricity for several hours on the Isle of Wight after strong winds damaged overhead lines.
Southern Electric said the blackout affected Newport, Ventnor and Sandown.
Police in Cumbria have urged people to be prepared over the next few days with continued road disruptions and localised flooding.
A spokeswoman said: 'Yesterday, the county's roads were affected by standing water which resulted in some roads being heavily affected or closed as well as some areas being flooded.
'The Met Office has advised that more heavy rain is due to hit Cumbria again on Monday and high winds on Tuesday, therefore police want to take this opportunity advise people to take care and be prepared.'
Meanwhile, bookmaker William Hill reported a further run of money for a White Christmas - particularly across Scotland where it is now 2/1 that at least one snowflake falls in Aberdeen, Glasgow or Edinburgh.
It is looking less likely in London but the price has still halved from 10/1 to 5/1 in the last week.
'It only takes one flake to be reported for the payout and there can be little doubt that the rain is around - the only question is will temperatures fall fast enough,' said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.