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.
