Train operators are advising passengers to check before they travel this weekend as Storm Amy is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain, and certain routes have been recommended to avoid. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind in Greater Manchester and nearby counties such as Lancashire and Cumbria, predicting winds of up to 60mph from this evening (October 3) until the early hours of Sunday morning (October 5).
With a number of amber and yellow weather warnings in place across Scotland and the north west of England, rail operators have said any trains that do run are expected to be affected by delays and short-notice cancellations. For all routes across the north west of England and going towards Scotland, customers are being urged to check travel updates in advance and be prepared for disruption.
Some speed restrictions will also be in place for high-risk flood areas and locations where the wind is thought to be at its strongest.
Which train routes are best NOT to travel on this weekend during Storm Amy?
TransPennine Express (TPE)
TransPennine Express (TPE) is urging customers not to travel between Manchester/Liverpool and Glasgow/Edinburgh, or on services between York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, due to the expected gale-force winds from Storm Amy.
The rail operator TPE is urging customers not to travel on the following routes on Friday 3rd October:
• Preston – Edinburgh: from 12:00
• Newcastle – Edinburgh: from 16:00
• Preston – Glasgow: from 17:00
In addition, customers are advised not to travel during the morning of Saturday 4th October:
• Preston – Glasgow/Edinburgh until 12:00
• York – Newcastle – Edinburgh until 12:00
Passengers travelling after 12:00 on Saturday 4th October are strongly advised to check before they travel.
Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast has advised customers to travel as early as possible on Friday 3rd October, due to the high winds and heavy rainfall expected across the North West and into Scotland because of Storm Amy. Tickets for travel north of Preston on Friday 3rd October will be valid throughout Friday to encourage travel earlier in the day.
Avanti West Coast has amended its timetable for journeys north of Preston during the storm, and those stops include:
- Lancaster
- Oxenholme Lake District
- Penrith
- Carlisle
- Lockerbie
- Motherwell
- Haymarket
- Glasgow Central
- Edinburgh
Greek Street bridge renewal
Passengers are also being reminded of work to replace the Greek Street bridge in Stockport this weekend (October 4 and 5), which closes the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly. Rail replacement buses are available along this route. Rail journeys between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly are being diverted around the work.
Can I request a refund or travel on a different day?
TPE and Avanti West Coast have said customers with tickets across the affected routes can defer their journey and use their tickets for travel on Sunday 5th October at no extra cost. Alternatively, they can request a full refund here.
Customers should check the rail operator’s website or National Rail site for the latest updates.