Storm Ciarán halts trains as UK faces 110mph winds - full list of lines affected

01 November 2023 , 23:15

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A storm map shows exactly where warnings are in place across the UK (Image: Met Office)

Storm Ciarán is set to unleash chaos across train routes in Britain with powerful wind and torrents of rain leading several railway lines to warn passengers not to use certain routes.

Met Office forecasts predict 110mph wind and three inches of rain with two amber warnings in place for parts of the south coast. The extreme weather will impact rail travel tomorrow (November 2) with rail bosses declaring there will be ‘significant delays’ due to a risk of ‘fallen trees and debris being blown on to the tracks’ and ‘speed restrictions’ brought in.

Railway companies have released a specific list of services to avoid and even urged commuters to work from home amid warnings that flying debris could pose a risk to life. The powerful storm could also bring down power cables, topple trees and rip the roofs off buildings.

To follow the Mirror's live Storm Ciarán blog click here

Storm Ciarán has already started to batter the coast - but worse disruption is yet to come (Coastal JJ/Bav Media)

Railway companies say the routes below will be impacted by Storm Ciarán. However, conditions will continue to change throughout the day and more routes may be added so railways are urging customers to also check their website.

Met Office says UK will be battered by monster rain storm with 4 inches falling

Southeastern Railway

• Ashford - London via Maidstone East or Tonbridge
• Dover - London via Canterbury East or Tonbridge
• Faversham - London via Chatham
• Hastings - London via Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge
• Ramsgate - London via Canterbury West
• Faversham or Dover
• Paddock Wood - Strood

Southern Railway

• Ore - Hastings
• London Victoria - Southampton
• London Victoria - Portsmouth

Gatwick Express

• Gatwick - Brighton

Thameslink

• Three Bridges - Brighton

CrossCountry

• Taunton - Plymouth

South Western Railway

• London Waterloo - Weymouth
• London Waterloo - Salisbury
• Brockenhurst - Lymington Pier
• Ryde Pier Head - Ryde St Johns Road

Great Western Railway

• St Austell - Penzance
• Taunton - St Austell

As well as disruptions to trains , a major incident was declared late on Wednesday night, with a red 'risk to life' warning in place in the Channel Islands, as well as two amber warnings and multiple yellow warnings across the UK.

The named storm - which made landfall on Wednesday night - is estimated to be around 300 miles wide - roughly the distance between St Ives and Eastbourne on the south coast of England. Dozens of schools are also due to close on Thursday, including in Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

Jake Loader