Northern Rail has confirmed a reduced service on the Northumberland Line as Storms Austen and Boelo affect the UK. The changes apply from Friday 23 October to Monday 26 October.
Storm impact on services
Storm Austen has made landfall in the south of England, while Storm Boelo is set to arrive in the North tomorrow. Formal weather warnings have been issued across the region.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said on Thursday that Storm Boelo will bring gusts of 70-80mph in exposed areas, with 50-60mph gusts likely more widely. He said: "The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy rain, making for an impactful weekend of weather. Severe weather warnings and forecast detail will continue to develop, so people should keep up to date with the forecast over the next few days."
Northern Rail advice
A yellow weather warning is in place across the North East for Saturday evening through to Sunday evening. In an update posted online, Northern Rail bosses said: "Please check before you travel, as Storms Austen and Boelo are expected to affect train services across our network."
Strong winds can bring trees, branches and other debris onto the railway, which can affect train services and make journeys less reliable than usual. Northern Rail is making changes to services across the period, with some services amended or subject to short-notice changes.
Affected routes
In the North East, the only confirmed change so far affects the Northumberland Line, one of four routes where "some stations will have fewer trains than normal". The others are in West Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Plans for Saturday, Sunday and Monday have yet to be finalised. Northern Rail said: "There will be a reduction in the number of trains operating on several of our routes. We will publish further details shortly. Journey planners are being updated and may not immediately reflect all changes. Please check again before you travel."
Other train companies in the North East have yet to be affected, though Cross-Country trains from the region towards the South West will not continue to Plymouth or Penzance, instead terminating at Bristol Temple Meads.
