08.02.16
Storm Imogen plunges railways into chaos
Hurricane-force winds and widespread flooding caused by Storm Imogen are disrupting rail travel across Wales and England, according to the latest reports.
Wind speeds of 81mph have been reported in the Isles of Scilly and 84mph in Pembrey Sands, Carmarthenshire. The threshold for ‘hurricane force’ on the Beaufort scale is 73mph. The Environment Agency has 59 flood warnings and 175 flood alerts in place.
Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ of engineers are out on the lines removing trees, branches and other obstructions in the south and south west of England, and speed restrictions are in place to ensure drivers can stop in time if they see an obstacle.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The safety of passengers and staff is our top priority.”
Arriva Trains Wales warned that a 50mph speed restriction has been imposed on all routes west of Cardiff, meaning delays of up to an hour on some routes.
All trains in and out of Cornwall have been cancelled after a tree fell across tracks near Bodmin.
Southern said a tree on the line between Haywards Heath and Three Bridges is causing delays of up to 45 minutes and an obstruction on the line between Kearsney and Shepherds Well means trains are unable to run from Dover Priory towards London.
Great Western warned that trains from Bristol Temple Meads may run at delayed speeds or be cancelled and trees blocked lines to Gloucester and Guildford earlier during the day.
Storm Imogen represents the latest in a continuing pattern of extreme weather that has hit British railways.
Trains were cancelled across Scotland during last month’s Storm Gertrude.
For the latest information on train delays, see National Rail Enquiries.