Rail passengers are advised to check before travelling on Friday 9 January as Storm Goretti brings severe weather warnings across the Wales and Borders network.
Service alterations are already in place and will continue into Friday 9 January.
Network Rail and Transport for Wales will continue to introduce service alterations and will close parts of the railway network as weather conditions deteriorate, in order to keep passengers and staff safe.
A yellow weather warning for snow is in place from 15:00 on Thursday until 12:00 on Friday, with up to 20cm of snow possible in some areas.
Strong winds of 40-50mph are also forecast, increasing the risk of fallen trees and additional disruption. Snow may also turn to sleet or rain at times, bringing a risk of localised flooding.
Snow, ice and freezing temperatures can significantly affect the railway, particularly points, signalling equipment and track conditions.
Rail replacement services will not be able to run during the closures due to road conditions.
Network Rail colleagues are already taking a range of preventative measures ahead of the storm, including:
- Inspecting key drainage sites to ensure they are clear
- Checking points heating systems, as points can jam in snowy conditions
- Organising additional runs of Snow and Ice Treatment Trains and snow ploughs
- Arranging chainsaw teams to be on shift throughout the storm to respond quickly to fallen trees
Transport for Wales colleagues are also preparing for the weather by ensuring platforms are gritted, trains are ready for icy conditions, and by working closely with Network Rail to adapt service patterns as the storm develops.
Passengers are strongly advised to:
- Check their journey before travelling and throughout the day
- Allow extra time for their journeys
- Take extra care when travelling to and from stations, as platforms, steps and car parks may be slippery
Rail tickets for Thursday 8 January can be used for travel up to Sunday 11 January.
Nick Millington, Route Director at Network Rail Wales and Borders said: “Storm Goretti is expected to bring challenging conditions from Thursday afternoon and overnight, including snow, ice and strong winds, which can have a significant impact on the railway.
“While services are expected to run as normal on Thursday morning, from mid-afternoon onwards we anticipate the need to close some lines to keep passengers and our colleagues safe.
“Safety is our number one priority, and our teams are working around the clock, alongside train operators, to prepare the network and respond quickly as conditions change. We’d urge passengers to check before they travel and plan ahead, particularly on Thursday night and Friday morning.”
Patrick Allinson, Head of Control Operations at Transport for Wales added: “We’ve already seen a lot of snow across our network at the start of this year, and with Storm Goretti forecast to bring further challenging conditions.
“We are working closely with Network Rail to monitor the situation across the network. We’re asking passengers to take extra care when travelling to and from stations, as platforms, steps and car parks may be slippery.
“Most importantly, passengers should check before travelling for up to date information on rail services and routes.”
Passengers should check the latest travel information at: https://tfw.wales/service-status/all-updates
