CROSS-BORDER train services will be cancelled on Friday as Scotland braces itself for some of the strongest winds seen in a decade.
Network Rail has confirmed it has taken the decision to close some lines including north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line and north of York on the East Coast Main Line.
On the West Coast Main Line, no services will run north of Preston between 03:00 and 22:00 on Friday. Services will start and stop at Preston.
On the East Coast Main Line, no services will run north of Newcastle from 11:00 on Friday. Services will start and stop at Newcastle.
Passengers are being strongly advised to check services before travelling on Friday with a rare red weather warning issued for many parts of the UK amid Storm Eowyn.
Network Rail has said other lines across Scotland may be closed at short notice due to the impacts of the storm.
Storm Eowyn is expected to bring winds of up to 90mph.
A statement from Network Rail said: "The arrival of Storm Éowyn is expected to bring the strongest winds in a decade and will severely impact rail services, with the rail industry urging passengers across Britain to check before they travel.
Areas in Northern England and Scotland are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Due to this, the rail industry has taken the difficult decision to close some lines. This includes north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line and north of York on the East Coast Main Line, with both of these closures impacting on Anglo-Scots services.
"Other lines across Northern England, Scotland and Northern Wales may also be closed at short notice due to the impacts of the storm, so passengers are urged to keep up to date with the latest travel information and alternative travel options. These can be found on National Rail Enquiries or train operating company social media channels and websites.
#StormÉowyn is expected to bring the strongest winds in a decade. The rail industry has taken the difficult decision to close some lines, including north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line and north of York on the East Coast Main Line: ➡️ https://t.co/nxfDaFNHvb pic.twitter.com/lFKKOgPuPA
— Network Rail (@networkrail) January 23, 2025
"Customers who were planning to travel on the parts of the railway that will be closed on Friday are advised to complete their journeys on Thursday instead where possible. Those who are unable to do so should speak to their train operating company for the latest information on ticket acceptance."
The red warning will be in place from 10am on Friday until 5pm on the same day. It covers most of central Scotland, including Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as the south west of the country.
Passengers on the East Coast are also being reminded that as a result of the programme of vital engineering upgrades, there will also be no trains to or from London King’s Cross on Saturday and Sunday.
Lisa Angus, industry weather response director at Network Rail, said: “The decision to close parts of the railway is never one that we take lightly, but the safety of passengers and our staff is our top priority.
"We have been preparing for the severe impacts of Storm Éowyn all week and will have scores of workers ready to deal with any incidents which occur, such as flash flooding or fallen trees and other items blocking the tracks.
“We ask residents living by the railway to tie down loose garden items, like trampolines or gazebos, which pose a risk of blowing onto the railway and could cause further unnecessary delays for passengers and freight services.”
