With Storm Floris predicted to bring winds of up to 90mph to parts of the northern UK, travellers are being urged to postpone their journeys.
An amber Met Office warning for high wind is in place across much of Scotland. It covers the whole country north of Kilmarnock, Peebles and Berwick upon Tweed, except for Shetland – where a Met Office yellow weather warning is in place.
A yellow warning also applies to southern Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and North Wales. The southern extent is a line stretching from Scarborough to Snowdonia, and taking in Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.
Several train operators have issued “do not travel” notices because of the risk of disruption caused by debris on the line, fallen trees and flooding.
Hundreds of trains have been cancelled, including all services north of Edinburgh and Glasgow from 12 noon – along with dozens of ferries.
These are the key locations for travel disruption.
Will Storm Floris lead to train delays?
Scotland
A nationwide speed limit of 50mph has been imposed, which will extend journey times and cause cancellations. Between Edinburgh and Glasgow, around half the trains on Monday morning were cancelled.
Elsewhere, cancellations began before 10am, with the 9.48 Dundee to Edinburgh cancelled due to high winds.
All ScotRail trains running north of the Central Belt will be cancelled from 12 noon on Monday 4 August, including services to and from Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Wick, Thurso, Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.
The train operator said: “We’re asking anyone with garden equipment, such as tents, trampolines or furniture, to secure items so that they don’t blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment.”
Anglo-Scottish routes
On the East Coast main line, LNER, Lumo and TransPennine Express will run no Anglo-Scottish trains north of Newcastle on Monday. LNER says: “Do Not Travel North of Newcastle on Monday 4 August. Alternative travel options will be extremely limited due to expected road closures and other train operators will also be affected.” Passengers can use LNER tickets dated for Monday on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Lumo tickets are valid on Tuesday or Wednesday. The company says new seat reservations can be made by contacting its social media team via direct message. TransPennine Express passengers can use their tickets on Tuesday.
CrossCountry will not run trains north of Edinburgh to Dundee and Aberdeen. While the company says it will be running between England and Edinburgh “subject to disruption caused by the storm”, these trains are expected to be full. “Your ticket can be used at no extra cost, and without needing to amend your ticket, on CrossCountry services on Tuesday 5 August,” the train firm says.
Caledonian Sleeper trains departing on Monday night linking Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William with London have been cancelled, and arrivals on Monday to these cities are all running late. Journey times on Monday night’s trains between Edinburgh, Glasgow and London are expected to arrive around an hour late on Tuesday morning.
On the West Coast main line, Avanti West Coast is advising customers not to attempt to travel north of Preston – to and from destinations including Lancaster, Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The train operator says: “Tickets to travel north of Preston dated for today, 4 August will be accepted for travel on Tuesday 5 August, at any time via the same route.”
TransPennine Express is not operating trains north of Carlisle to Glasgow or Edinburgh.
England
Northern Trains has reduced frequencies on lines linking Leeds with Bradford Forster Square, Ilkley and Skipton. The rail firm says: “If the train you have a ticket for is cancelled, you can travel on any Northern, TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway or LNER service within two hours.”
In addition, the Cumbria Coast Line has speed restrictions in place. The line is not running for its full length at present due to unstable ground conditions between Sellafield and Workington.
TransPennine Express says its trains from Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester airport are subject to delays and cancellations.
Anglo-Welsh routes
Transport for Wales is advising passengers between Shrewsbury and Manchester to check before travelling.
Northern Ireland
Translink says: “Storm Floris is likely to bring a spell of unseasonably strong and potentially disruptive winds to Northern Ireland on Monday (4/8) from 6am into early Tuesday (5/8) 6am.
“As a result Translink would like to advise intending passengers to allow additional time for travel.”
Will Storm Floris increase traffic delays?
Traffic Scotland warns road users to to use caution crossing the following bridges “due to high winds currently affecting driving conditions”:
- A9000 Forth Road Bridge north of Edinburg
- A898 Erskine Bridge west of Glasgow
- A87 Skye Bridge
Long-distance bus passengers were told by Scottish Citylink: “We are pleased to inform you that all Scottish Citylink services are operating as scheduled today.”
In England, National Highways says: “Road users in the North West, Yorkshire and Humber and North East regions of England are advised to check ahead and plan for disruption to their journeys
“Storm Floris will bring strong winds across the network through Monday with storm force winds expected for the North West, Yorkshire and Humber and North East regions.
“Many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph with 60-70 mph expected along exposed coasts and high ground.
“High sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and other vulnerable vehicles are advised to take extra care when travelling due to the increased risk.”
Traffic Wales has warned motorists that high winds “may cause some disruption to travel”.
Are ferries running during Storm Floris?
Most Caledonian MacBrayne ferries in western Scotland have been cancelled for the whole of Monday, and those that are possibly still running – such as Colintraive to Rhubodach – travellers are warned services are “liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice”.
Northlink, which serves Orkney and Shetland from mainland Scotland, warns of “the possibility of disruption to our services from Monday 4 August through to Wednesday 6 August”. The ferry firm says: “The 4.45pm sailing from Stromness to Scrabster and the 7pm sailing from Scrabster to Stromness are currently under review with a high probability of cancellation.”
Have flights been cancelled because of Storm Floris?
Flight cancellations to and from Scotland and Northern Ireland are increasing, with The Independent now counting at least 40 departures grounded as a result of Storm Floris. At short notice, British Airways grounded its afternoon flights between London Heathrow and both Aberdeen and Inverness.
At even shorter notice, easyJet has axed its flights linking Inverness with Luton and Gatwick. The airline told passengers: “Strong winds in Inverness are preventing aircraft from arriving and departing. The safety of you and our crew is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding.”
Eastern Airways has grounded flights linking Aberdeen with Teesside and Wick.
Meanwhile Scotland’s airline, Loganair, has increased its cancellations. As well as two round-trips between Dublin and Aberdeen, and the afternoon round-trip between Aberdeen and Kirkwall in Orkney, an Aberdeen-Shetland round-trip has been grounded.
The carrier is allowing passengers booked on Monday or Tuesday to re-book on an alternative flight up to a week from the original travel date without penalty.
At Belfast City airport, Aer Lingus Regional has grounded 20 flights so far: to and from destinations including Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Southampton.
Jet2 and Ryanair have not warned of disruption to their flights in Scotland, Northern Ireland or northern England.
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