Rail Passengers urged to ‘check before you travel’ due to flooding

Rail passengers have been urged to check their journeys before travelling this morning after flooding in Cumbria and Lancashire overnight.

Some services, particularly in the Cumbria area are operating with delays and services between Carlisle and Whitehaven are currently suspended due to the poor weather conditions which have caused floods overnight.

Network Rail staff are in place at sites of severe flooding to monitor the situation.

The Environment Agency has issued multiple flood alerts and warnings across the region and the Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for rain, which is expected to continue throughout the day.

Phil James, Network Rail’s route director for the North West, said:

“Passengers should be aware that there is some disruption on the railway today as a result of flooding in the North West.

“Our teams are working hard to resolve issues where they arise and we will continue to work with partners to monitor the situation. The weather is expected to continue to get worse throughout today and tomorrow so I would urge passengers to check before you travel.”

A new Yellow National Severe Weather Warning for rain has been issued for Friday into Saturday morning, covering much of England and Wales. Flooding is likely to bring travel and other impacts.