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Transport for Wales warns of disruption to rail network due to Storm Barra

07 Dec 2021 3 minute read
The new Stadler FLIRT. Picture by Transport for Wales.

Transport for Wales (TfW) has warned of disruption to the rail network because of Storm Barra.

It is urging customers to check before they travel over the coming days, as the severe weather is due to impact on the rail network from today (Tuesday 7 December).

A revised timetable, to take account of necessary speed restrictions across Wales, is replacing the usual timetable until the end of service on Wednesday 8 December 2021. Depending on how Storm Barra plays out, this is also subject to last minute changes.

At this time, TfW has stopped short of warning customers against all but essential travel on their services.

The impact of Storm Barra is predicted to be similar to that of Storm Arwen. That storm saw around 40 incidents of tracks being blocked by fallen trees and damaged 12 trains, many of which are still under repair.

Network Rail have put a 40mph speed restriction on most lines in Wales during the storm to ensure safety, but this means journeys will take much longer and the current timetable would not work. TfW staff have therefore created a special storm timetable to try to keep wales moving on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

‘Minimum’ 

Speaking ahead of the introduction of the emergency timetable, TfW Director for Planning and Performance, Colin Lea, said: “As a minimum, all customers need to check before travelling on Tuesday and Wednesday as an emergency timetable will replace our current timetable. T4″his means a significant amount of our services will either operate at different times, take much longer to reach destinations, or may not operate at all.

“The safety of our customers is at the heart of everything we do and while we understand this may be inconvenient, intense winds and extreme weather patterns mean we have to make these temporary changes. We thank all customers in advance.”

With wind speeds expecting to reach 70mph in some parts of Wales, there is a very high risk of debris and trees damaging overhead lines and tracks.

Rachel Heath, Head of Operations Delivery at Network Rail Wales & Borders said: “With Storm Barra on the way we are putting speed restrictions in place across many parts of Wales & Borders to keep passengers safe from debris and trees on the line.

“Our dedicated teams of engineers will be working day and night to respond to incidents and keep passengers moving.”


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Bob McIntyre
Bob McIntyre
2 years ago

Mid-Tuesday and no published version of the “emergency timetable”. Go to TfW’s JourneyCheck Web site and you’ll find over 230 cancellations and changes to wade through. The Web site refers you to check before travelling but where to go? Err… the page you are looking at! And if you don’t have the Internet or a smart phone or live in rural Wales where the phone signal and broadband are none existent, then you are stuffed! TfW should have a published Plan B just like BR used to so people would know which trains are likely to be cancelled and which… Read more »

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