Passengers warned not to make rail journeys as Storm Éowyn threatens region | TheBusinessDesk.com

Railway authorities have advised people not to travel by train in the North West region on this Friday (January 24) as storm Éowyn approaches.

The strongest winds of the last decade will hit between 0300 and 1800 hours on Friday and will severely affect the rail services from Preston to Carlisle.

On the West Coast Main Line, there will be no services north of Preston from 0300 on Friday until 2200 hours on Friday.

Services will begin and end at Preston.

Some platforms at Preston station may be blocked for safety reasons due to high winds.

There will be no services on the Settle to Carlisle line and Cumbrian coast line from 0300 on Friday until 12:00 on Saturday (January 25).

There will be no services between Carnforth and Settle from 0300 on Friday until 12:00 on Saturday.

There will be no services on the Windermere and Morecambe branches from 0300 on Friday until 12:00 on Saturday.

Merseyrail passengers are advised to check before they travel.

The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for Storm Eowyn in Scotland and an amber warning for the rest of the UK, meaning there could be danger to life.

Network Rail has had its back to the weather forecast for several days and has scores of workers ready to deal with flash flooding or fallen trees and other items blocking tracks.

Residents living by the railway are also advised to tether down loose garden items, such as a trampoline or gazebo, which are also at risk of being blown onto the tracks.

Paul Owen, director of operations for Network Rail's North West route, said: "We are expecting severe impacts as a result of Storm Éowyn and the safety of passengers and our staff is our top priority.

"Our teams have been preparing for this bad weather forseveral days and are ready to respond to deal with the impacts of high winds on the railway, such as fallen trees and infrastructure damage."

He added: "If you live by the railway, please tie down any loose garden items - it's amazing what can be carried by a strong gust of wind and end up on the tracks, causing unnecessary delays for passengers and freight."

Andrew McClements, customer experience and transformation director for TransPennine Express, said: "Our top priority is the safety of our customers and colleagues.

"We will do everything possible to keep people on the move under difficult conditions, however, due to the strong winds forecast for Friday we are asking people not to attempt to travel between Manchester/Liverpool and Glasgow/Edinburgh, or between York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.