Many train operators urged passengers not to travel as lines are blocked by fallen trees and flooding caused by stormy weather.
21 February 2022
Severe weather brought further chaos to transport networks on Monday with rail services decimated and major roads closed.
Many train operators urged passengers not to travel as lines are blocked by fallen trees and flooding caused by Storm Franklin.
Northern said many of its routes are closed across the North West and Yorkshire.
It added: “Our advice is not to attempt to travel as we are unable to provide alternative transport.”
Flooding at Rotherham station is so bad that the train tracks are not visible.
South Western Railway said Network Rail had cleared more than 50 trees from its network since Friday, but more heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday night caused “even more trees to block the lines and further damage to stations and infrastructure”.
It will be a very windy start to Monday due to #StormFranklin
Bands of rain & showers will also be sinking south during the rush hour, & combined with the strong winds may make travel difficult in places
Warnings are in force throughout the morning so stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/wtfn5NI9NF
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 20, 2022
It warned that the weather conditions were “likely to hamper efforts to help stranded customers”.
Other operators urging passengers not to travel include CrossCountry, Southeastern, TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast.
Network Rail posted a message on its Kent and Sussex Twitter feed which stated: “Our advice is to stay home if you can as disruption is likely to get worse as the day goes on.”
Widespread emergency 50mph speed restrictions have been introduced, causing further delays to journeys.
Transport for London said the London Overground is suspended between Stratford and Richmond, Stratford and Clapham Junction, Romford and Upminster, and Sydenham and West Croydon due to damage caused by severe weather.
In the North West, stretches of two motorways were closed after incidents during the storm.
National Highways said the M60 in Greater Manchester was closed between junctions 10 and 11 due to an overturned HGV which had come to rest on the central reservation.
The M6 was closed in Lancashire between junction 27 and 28 after an HGV hit a bridge and caught fire.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reported saving a number of people from stranded cars on the A61 at Harewood Bridge, with more reports of roads left impassable due to flash flooding across the region.
Several major road bridges were closed on Monday morning, including the M48 Severn Bridge connecting England and Wales, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex.
