Storm Claudia: Train operators warn to 'check before you travel' as delays and cancellations to rail lines expected

Train operators, West Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway, have warned against travelling during tomorrow's severe weather warning as heavy rainfall and high winds are expected. 

The warning comes after the Met Office issued an amber weather warning for rain for the majority of tomorrow, with the weather forecaster warning of possible flooding and a 'danger to life'.

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The Met Office has warned that the severe weather and heavy rainfall may bring possible travel disruption to roads across the West Midlands and Shropshire, adding that delays and cancellations to bus and rail services 'are likely'.

The weather warning has been put into place for Friday at 12pm onwards, with many rail groups advising to 'not travel if possible' and to 'check ahead of time'.

West Midlands Railway

West Midlands Railway have said that they are expecting 'heavy rain all day', and urged commuters 'check before you travel'. 

The rail operator warned that no services will be travelling between Worcester and Hereford as a result of the severe weather, adding that no service or rail replacement for the route will be organised as 'roads will be severely affected too'.

The group added that a reduced service between Bromsgrove and Lichfield Trent Valley will be in operation, and that a rail replacement will be in operation from Redditch to Bromsgrove to board services. 

They added that while they advise not to travel where possible, they 'can't gaurantee' any services after 3pm. 

Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast have also issued travel advice for services across their lines, urging all commuters to 'check before you travel'.

The group announced that they will be running a reduced timetable throughout the day, with fewer trains running at reduced speed. 

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: "The Met Office has issued weather warnings due to Storm Claudia, with heavy rain and potential flooding affecting large parts of England. As a result, we’re running a reduced timetable further to speed restrictions applied by Network Rail. 

"Fewer trains will run and journeys will take longer. There is then a risk of further disruption on the rail network due to this extreme weather, especially in the North West."

London Northwestern Railway

London Northwestern Railway have also announced a reduced service for a number of its lines, including those for London Euston and Crewe.

The group announced that no service will be in operation between London and Tring for all of Friday, and that services between Crewe and Liverpool will cease from 3pm onwards. 

The group said: "As a result of Storm Claudia, we are expecting severe weather to affect services all day. 

"We advise not to travel if possible, as we can't guarantee service after 15:00."

Each train operator has warned to check their individual timetables for sudden changes ahead of time, and urged not to travel where possible.

Stay up to date on the Express & Star for the latest on Storm Claudia.