Train operator East Coast has announced it will not be running services in or out of London King’s Cross Station owing to storm damage.
“There are no services running south of Peterborough and all other East Coast southbound trains are terminating early,” the train operator said.
“As a result, many trains are subject to short term cancellation and delay, and currently, there is no firm indication when services will be resumed.
“As a result of the severe disruption, East Coast customers are advised not to travel today. If you hold an East Coast ticket for travel today, this will be valid for travel tomorrow.
“You are advised to travel tomorrow on a service as close as possible to the original time of your departure.”
Heavy rain and high winds from the St Jude storm have caused flooding, damaged overhead power lines and scattered debris across the track, including fallen trees.
Network Rail expects work to clear the lines and repair damage to take most of the day.
From 10.02pm, Sunday, October 27, 2013
Storm disrupts trains from York
Train operator East Coast is to operate a revised emergency timetable on Monday, 28 October 2013 as hurricane force winds are expected to batter Britain.
With high winds in excess of 70 miles per hour and heavy rain predicted as part of the St Jude storm, East Coast is working closely with Network Rail to prepare stations, trains and infrastructure.
Network Rail say trains will not be allowed to run south of Peterborough, where the most severe weather is expected, until the worst of the storm has passed and engineers have been able to check railway lines in daylight for fallen trees, branches or other debris.
East Coast is advising customers who intend to travel tomorrow to check its website before setting out, where the revised emergency timetable expected to operate tomorrow is now available.
Information will also be available by calling National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or by following @eastcoastuk on Twitter.
Passengers holding advance purchase tickets with reservations for specific East Coast services tomorrow are being advised to travel on the nearest available service to their booked time.
East Coast is also advising those travelling to allow extra time to reach its stations, and to take special care when boarding or alighting from trains, and when on exposed station platforms.
East Coast Operations Director Danny Williams said: “We are monitoring predicted weather conditions along our route, particularly south of Doncaster where the strongest winds are expected to be.
“With winds forecast in excess of 70 miles per hour, mandatory speed restrictions will be put in place by Network Rail, with all trains restricted to a 50 miles per hour maximum speed south of Peterborough from the time when the lines reopen until 10am.
“In addition, electric trains will be restricted to an 80 mph maximum speed south of York from 3am until 3pm.
“Our people are working hard to prepare our trains and stations as well as we can. Our advice to customers is please check for the latest information before setting out, and to allow extra time to reach stations as travel conditions are expected to be difficult for much of the day.”
Short notice changes to services are expected to occur, and while every effort will be made to ensure seat reservations are applied to specific trains, these may also be affected.
Network Rail’s managing director of network operations, Robin Gisby, said: “Passengers will, I hope, understand that their safety and the safety of our workforce has to be the rail industry’s number one priority during such severe weather.
“We will be monitoring conditions on the ground throughout the night and into the morning, but we simply cannot allow trains to run until the storm has passed and we have been able to make sure that the railway is safe and free of obstructions.”