Don’t travel from today (Friday) till the end of play on Sunday, if you can avoid it.
That’s the stark message from York-base train company LNER, as Storm Arwen is forecast to bring in intense weather conditions.
The company is urging people to defer their travel if possible. Tickets for this weekend will be valid on LNER services from Monday to Wednesday next week (29 November-1 December).
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Network Rail has imposed emergency speed restrictions as the extreme weather conditions begin to impact the East Coast Main Line.
The East Coast route north of Berwick Upon Tweed will be closed to services from 5pm today.
Further closures as a result of the extreme weather are possible elsewhere on the East Coast route.
Services that can operate face extended journey times, and short notice delays and cancellations are expected.
Sarah Reid, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast, said: “Severe weather such as this does cause problems for the railway and we are doing all we can to keep services moving where possible and it is safe to do so.
“However, we are expecting major service changes tonight and into the weekend, particularly with the closure of the East Coast Main Line in and out of Scotland from 17:00. We’d urge all passengers to check their individual journey ahead of travelling, which can be done by visiting National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website.”
LNER has apologised to customers for disruption impacting customer journeys today and across the weekend. Anyone who decides against making a journey can claim a refund from the original point of purchase.
The Met Office has issued a red warning for an area from Newcastle up to Aberdeen. This is the highest level, which is issued very rarely, meaning there is potentially a risk to life.