Latest news with #trainoperators
The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Storm Floris: What will it mean for your travel plans?
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. 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 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? Scotland's airline serving the Highlands and Islands, Loganair, says: 'We plan to fly all our scheduled services. Standby aircraft and crews are in place to help recover disrupted services as soon as weather permits.' But it 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.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three train operators given go ahead to run extra East Coast services
Three East Coast Main Line train operators have been granted permission to run additional services from December. Regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it approved some proposals from open access operators Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains to enhance their timetables. It rejected some proposed services, citing concerns over insufficient capacity, the potential impact on performance, and the effect on the Government's revenue. The approvals include Lumo extending some of its existing London King's Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, and additional services between London King's Cross and Newcastle. Hull Trains will run an additional train from London King's Cross to Hull on weekdays and Saturdays, while Grand Central will increase its regional operation, including a new link to Seaham on the County Durham coast. Among the rejected proposals was a plan from Hull Trains for new services between London King's Cross and Sheffield. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: 'Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the East Coast Main Line. 'Importantly, we have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators, which have been planned into the December 2025 timetable, so together passengers and freight customers can benefit from more direct connections and greater choice from December.' Open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. They are excluded from the Government's ongoing nationalisation of Britain's train services. In January, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the ORR expressing concerns that the open access model can cause 'potential congestion' and result in taxpayers being 'left to fill shortfalls' in maintenance costs. She stated that she expects 'the impacts on the taxpayer and on overall performance' to be 'given primacy' by the regulator when it analyses open access proposals. Government-owned LNER, which runs services on the East Coast Main Line, is planning a major timetable change in December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It has previously described the overhaul as 'transformational' and 'the biggest change in a generation'.
The Independent
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Three train operators given go ahead to run extra East Coast services
Three East Coast Main Line train operators have been granted permission to run additional services from December. Regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it approved some proposals from open access operators Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains to enhance their timetables. It rejected some proposed services, citing concerns over insufficient capacity, the potential impact on performance, and the effect on the Government's revenue. The approvals include Lumo extending some of its existing London King's Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, and additional services between London King's Cross and Newcastle. Hull Trains will run an additional train from London King's Cross to Hull on weekdays and Saturdays, while Grand Central will increase its regional operation, including a new link to Seaham on the County Durham coast. Among the rejected proposals was a plan from Hull Trains for new services between London King's Cross and Sheffield. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: 'Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the East Coast Main Line. 'Importantly, we have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators, which have been planned into the December 2025 timetable, so together passengers and freight customers can benefit from more direct connections and greater choice from December.' Open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. They are excluded from the Government's ongoing nationalisation of Britain's train services. In January, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the ORR expressing concerns that the open access model can cause 'potential congestion' and result in taxpayers being 'left to fill shortfalls' in maintenance costs. She stated that she expects 'the impacts on the taxpayer and on overall performance' to be 'given primacy' by the regulator when it analyses open access proposals. Government-owned LNER, which runs services on the East Coast Main Line, is planning a major timetable change in December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It has previously described the overhaul as 'transformational' and 'the biggest change in a generation'.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What the £100M electrification scheme will mean for train users as it is completed
A £100m electrification of the railway between Wigan and Bolton is officially complete after overhead power lines were entered into service this weekend. Overnight on Saturday (26 July), Network Rail teams unveiled new train driver signage and removed barriers at stations which have seen platforms extended in the final stage of the major multi-year investment. It follows successful test train running and regulatory sign-off in recent weeks to commission the newly installed infrastructure along the 6.5-mile route between the two towns. Wigan to Bolton electrified railway on first morning fully open to electric trains (Image: Network Rail) READ MORE: Bolton to Wigan rail electrification to 'go live' on January 1 Wigan to Bolton trainline electrification hits 'major milestone' Wigan to Bolton railway line to be funded to completion The £100m investment from the Department for Transport, announced in 2021, has been delivered by Network Rail in partnership with its supply chain and train operating partners. Now complete it means cleaner and quieter trains are able to run under electric power along the route. It also enables operators to run longer trains with more carriages over further distances in future, improving train connectivity across the North West of England. Team on site during energisation of the overhead electric lines between Wigan and Bolton.j (Image: Network Rail) Since 2022 the project has seen: 21 kilometres of power lines installed 414 new overhead line equipment stanchions erected Six road bridges and one footbridge completely reconstructed Modifications to 17 bridges and two-level crossings Signalling and track upgrades completed Platform extensions at Hindley, Westhoughton and Ince station. Kathryn Berry, Network Rail scheme project manager, said: 'It's a very proud moment to see this newly electrified railway line enter into service after many years of hard work to modify bridges, level crossings and stations to make way for the overhead power lines. 'I'd like to thank our supply chain, local partners, train operators and lineside neighbours for their patience during construction. Now complete train services will be able to run in electric mode, providing quieter and more reliable journeys, whilst improving air quality for communities along the 6.5-mile route.' First shot of an electric train leaving Wigan North Western and Bolton under electric power (Image: Network Rail)Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: "The electrification of the line between Wigan and Bolton is great news for our customers and the communities we serve. This investment will support faster, more reliable and more sustainable journeys in the future, helping us deliver a better, greener railway for the North. I'd like to thank customers for their patience whilst this upgrade work has been underway." Electrifying this section of railway is said to give greater operational flexibility for train operators and bring this part of the rail network in line with upgrades to a train maintenance facility at Wigan Springs Branch. It will also reduce the number of diesel trains running on the route improving air quality for local people. The platform extensions are said to have have future-proofed Westhoughton, Hindley and Ince stations for longer trains with more seats to serve those communities in the years to come. The Wigan-Lostock electrification project was announced by the Department of Transport in September 2021. It's part of the wider Manchester and North West Transformation Programme (MNTP). Other MNTP projects include the third platform at Salford Crescent. Finished platform extensions at Westhoughton station copy (Image: Network Rail) The project has been delivered by Network Rail in conjunction with its principal contractor Keir which carried out all the buildings and civil engineering work to alter the existing infrastructure including bridges, and installing the stanchions for the overhead lines. The overhead lines themselves were installed by contractor SPL Powerlines. New overhead line stanchions and cables on Wigan to Bolton route (Image: Network Rail)Lee Farmer, SPL Powerlines project delivery director, said: 'We're proud to have delivered the overhead line electrification between Wigan and Bolton, a vital step in creating a more sustainable and efficient rail network across the North West. This milestone marks the culmination of many years of hard work by our teams on the ground and close collaboration with our industry partners. By enabling greener, faster, and more reliable train services, this project brings long-term benefits to both passengers and local communities.'
