Christmas travel chaos as Storm Pia hits and strikes halt Eurostar

Christmas travel: Heavy wind causes train cancellations

Storm Pia has already hampered Christmas getaway plans, with heavy winds causing train cancellations.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “With this latest weather warning affecting a large area of Scotland and parts of northern England, there is the chance travellers’ last-minute getaway trips could be disrupted.

“If trains are significantly delayed people are more likely to shift to the roads which could add to already exceptionally high traffic volumes. Nationally, we expect around 3.2m separate getaway journeys to be made by car.

“For this reason, we urge drivers to be on their guard for debris in the road, including branches and possibly even trees, especially along more rural routes.

“Gusty conditions can also make driving more difficult, so it’s advisable drivers reduce their speed and stay focused on the road ahead.”

Mr Dixon added: “As we get into Christmas Day, the outlook is looking rather unsettled at first, there are weather fronts draped over the UK and it’s looking likely that we’ll have rain across much of England and Wales and indeed some showers in parts of western and southern Scotland.

“This will gradually clear up during the day, some people may get a clearer spell in the afternoon, so an unsettled day.

“In terms of a white Christmas, it looks likely, with wintry showers possible over high ground in the far north of Scotland, but not widespread.”

A yellow alert has also been issued for snow and ice across Shetland over the weekend, with possible accumulations of 2-5cm of snow.

On Saturday a yellow rain warning will be issued across parts of Wales, lasting until the evening of December 24.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 14:38

Map: When and where storms will hit the UK as Met Office issue weather warning

Road and rail journeys are set to be disrupted in the run-up to Christmas and homes may be hit by power cuts as high winds batter the north of the UK on Thursday.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning, forecasting winds of up to 80mph in northern Scotland, up to 70mph on high ground, and 45-55mph elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Scotland, north Wales and England north of Birmingham, as well as the top half of East Anglia.

The warning, prompted by an area of low pressure, is for wind from midnight Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday, meaning travel disruption is likely, power cuts are possible, high-sided vehicles could be at risk on exposed roads and coastal routes could be sprayed by high waves.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 14:15

Watch: Firefighter's three tips for safe Christmas travel ahead of busiest day on roads

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 13:45

Strong winds to batter UK on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve travel plans could be ruined with heavy winds set to batter parts of the country ahead of a rain-soaked December 25.

Gusts as high as 60 to 70 mph are due to hit the north of Scotland and northern and central areas of England on Sunday, forecasters have said.

Two separate yellow wind warnings have been issued, saying people should expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and power cuts, while the rest of the country may see showers.

Forecasters said: “Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. “

The RAC estimates 3.2 million car journeys will be made across the country on Christmas Eve, and last-minute getaway trips could be disrupted.

Christmas Day morning is set to be neither merry nor bright for most, with rain across parts of England and Wales.

However, a white Christmas, defined as a single snowflake falling on December 25, is likely for a short period over high ground in the far north of Scotland.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: “There’s potentially going to be some travel disruption on Christmas Eve, to the east of the Pennines in particular, because of that wind.

“It’s also going to be a very windy day in Scotland as well, so a chance of some travel disruption and power cuts, particular given the wind we saw recently with Storm Pia.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 12:48

‘We have to be back with mum for Christmas'

A mother and daughter had to pay for a hotel for the night after their train back to France was cancelled on Thursday.

Sophie Lesaint, 53, and Mariane Tadebois, 23, arrived at St Pancras at 6.30am on Friday and managed to book a train for 2pm.

Mrs Lesaint said: “We received an email at 1pm yesterday and then we were trying to find a solution to get a train as soon as possible, but it was not possible.

“We were refreshing our emails all the time. So this morning we came very early and we saw all the people queuing.

“When we get to Paris we have to take another train to another town in France, but there was only one seat so we are now travelling separately. It has changed everything, everything is booked up. We had to pay for a hotel, we’re going to try to get compensation after.

“We even looked at getting a ferry or a nine-hour bus. We have to be back with my mum for Christmas.”

(Jordan Reynolds/PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 12:18

The story behind the trampoline on the tracks...

A railway line at West Calder was obstructed by a trampoline which landed perfectly on the tracks after being lifted by strong winds.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 11:36

British Airways apologies after cancelling more flights on Friday

British Airways has grounded at least 20 short haul – domestic and European – flights from London Heathrow, blaming air-traffic control restrictions.

The outbound BA European departures served Basel, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Geneva and Munich, together with the return legs.

Domestic cancellations involved round-trips from Heathrow to Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle.

A spokesperson for British Airways said: “Due to the continuing air traffic control restrictions put in place because of Storm Pia, we have had to make some adjustments to our schedule.

“We have apologised to our customers for any disruption to their travel plans and our teams are working hard to get them on their way as quickly as possible.”

(Getty Images)

Simon Calder22 December 2023 11:25

What is the Met Office forecast for today?

The weather forecast for today is mostly mild, albeit windy, the Met Office has said.

Rain will be hitting Northern Ireland, northern and eastern England and western Scotland. It will be drier and brighter to the southwest of this.

Northern and eastern Scotland will be colder with some snow showers.

Tonight:

Rain continuing across Scotland and parts of northern England, falling as snow for a time across northeast Scotland where it will be cold. Drier elsewhere though fairly cloudy and mild.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 11:06

London Underground workers to stage strikes in new year

London Underground workers will stage a series of strikes in the new year in a dispute over pay.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over a 5% pay offer.

Engineering and maintenance workers will be taking action over January 5/6, with no rest-day working or overtime until January 12.

London Underground control centre and power/control members will be taking action over January 7/8, and fleet workers will walk out on January 8.

Signallers and service controller members will take action on January 9 and 12 while all fleet, stations and trains grades will walk out on January 10.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 10:45

‘Will it be possible for us to return home in time for Christmas?'

A mother and her two children booked a ferry to France as a back-up after their train was cancelled on Thursday.

Laure Sauve had been rebooked on a 9.30am train on Friday along with her sons Quentin, 16, and Benjamin, 12, but said her 18-year-old son could not book the same train so was travelling separately later in the day.

The 42-year-old university lecturer from Clapham Junction in London said the cancellation on Thursday was “quite a big disappointment”.

But she added that the queues on Friday were “not too bad” as they had been waiting about 30 minutes.

Mrs Sauve said: “We weren’t sure if there were going to be trains today so we booked ferry tickets in case.

“This has happened before, we’ve been in London for 15 years, it’s always like ‘will it be possible for us to be back in France in time for Christmas?’.”

The family said they were spending 10 days in France to see family for Christmas.

(Jordan Reynolds/PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain22 December 2023 10:25