Rail journeys between Preston and Edinburgh cancelled due to poor weather

Avanti has cancelled all of its West Coast services between Preston and Edinburgh today due to poor weather conditions.
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Yesterday evening (Wednesday, October 28), Avanti warned passengers who were planning on travelling today that it would be operating an amended timetable to and from Scotland.

It said the reduced services were due to heavy rain forecast for the North of England and parts of Scotland.

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This morning, it confirmed that services will not be running between Preston and Edinburgh at all today. Services between Preston and Lancaster are not affected.

Trains are still running between Preston and Glasgow, but there will be a 50mph speed restriction in place. The Avanti services will be calling at Glasgow Central station.

A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast, said: “Due to the heavy rain forecast, we will be operating an amended timetable to and from Scotland on Thursday with extended journey times due to emergency speed restrictions.

"As a result, no Avanti West Coast services will operate to and from Edinburgh.

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"Customers are advised to leave plenty of time for their journey and to check before they travel.

Passengers travelling through Lancashire and Cumbria are being warned of slower-than-usual journeys and travel disruption with heavy rain forecast today (Thursday, October 29)Passengers travelling through Lancashire and Cumbria are being warned of slower-than-usual journeys and travel disruption with heavy rain forecast today (Thursday, October 29)
Passengers travelling through Lancashire and Cumbria are being warned of slower-than-usual journeys and travel disruption with heavy rain forecast today (Thursday, October 29)

"We are working closely with Network Rail and TransPennine Express to monitor the weather and recommend customers check the Avanti West Coast website for the latest updates."

Network Rail has also warned passengers travelling through Lancashire and Cumbria of slower-than-usual journeys and travel disruption.

To keep passengers and railway staff safe, speed restrictions for trains will be in place on all West Coast Main Line services running through Preston and also on the Settle to Carlisle line in Cumbria.

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The safety speed measures will be in place between 10.30am today (Thursday, October 29) and 7am tomorrow (Friday, October 30). This will impact all services running to and from Scotland.

Avanti has cancelled all of its West Coast Main Line services between Preston and Edinburgh today (Thursday, October 29) due to wet weatherAvanti has cancelled all of its West Coast Main Line services between Preston and Edinburgh today (Thursday, October 29) due to wet weather
Avanti has cancelled all of its West Coast Main Line services between Preston and Edinburgh today (Thursday, October 29) due to wet weather

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: "With very heavy rain today our plans and decisions are prioritising the safety of passengers and railway staff.

"Our teams have been planning for the likelihood of surface water flooding. We have extra people on the ground to deal with any disruption. I understand that speed limits may be frustrating, but they are a necessary safety precaution when such wild weather is expected."

Meanwhile, passengers are asked to continue following Government guidance around the use of public transport.

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Travellers must wear a face covering on train services and any replacement bus services. Those who fail to do so risk being fined £200.

However, some people are exempt, including young children and people with hidden disabilities or breathing difficulties.

How can you get to Edinburgh from Preston today?

TransPennine Express are still providing services from Preston to Edinburgh and Avanti have ticket acceptance in place with them.

You can check the timetables for TransPennine Express services here.

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