CUSTOMERS travelling on the Storm Doris-battered West Coast main line were today (Thursday, February 23) advised by train companies and Network Rail to postpone travel until tomorrow if possible.
Those with no choice but to travel were urged to check beforehand on www.nationalrail.co.uk and to expect delays.
Hundreds of high wind-related incidents were being tackled today by Network Rail’s orange army engineers – from trampolines, chairs and trees blown on tracks to bags blowing on to overhead power lines.
With blanket speed limits of 50mph imposed for safety reasons, London Midland said customers with tickets for today could use them on specified services (https://www.londonmidland.com/about-us/latest-news#/pressreleases/storm-doris-rail-travel-update-do-not-travel-1823444) tomorrow. It advised its customers “not to travel today if possible.”
Meanwhile on its West Coast franchise Virgin Trains “strongly advised anyone who can postpone their journey to do so,” adding: “Tickets for today will be accepted for journeys starting before 2pm tomorrow (Friday 24th), or anytime on Saturday.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Storm Doris is really causing us problems today. Please be assured we are doing all we can to keep the railway moving.”
For the latest information on Virgin go to: https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/about/media-room
For the latest information on London Midlands go to: www.londonmidland.com/travel-information/live-information/service-disruption
