Storm Claudia has caused chaos on train tracks across the UK
Passengers at Gloucester station after their train heading to Bristol turned around(Image: Submitted)
Train passengers who have been trying to get home for hours are still stuck in transit because heavy rain and flooding has closed tracks all over the country.
Storm Claudia has brought severe rainfall to the UK, resulting in traffic and travel disruptions in Gloucestershire and beyond.
The county remains under both an amber and a yellow weather warning until 6:00am. on Saturday, with more rain expected overnight.
As a result of widespread flooding, CrossCountry and Great Western Railway have warned passengers not to travel tonight (Friday, November 14) if possible, with CrossCountry telling passengers it could not guarantee they would reach their destination.
One passenger told GloucestershireLive he set out from Manchester Piccadilly at 3.08pm and still hadn’t made it home by 8.45pm.
“The train set off from Manchester with Crosscountry but got stuck outside of Congleton in Cheshire before the train was sent back to Manchester”, he said. “We got off at Stockport and got on the train to Crewe and thought we’d try continue to Hereford but passengers were then told they would not go further than Shrewsbury. “So we decided to get the next train to Birmingham and try and get to Gloucester from there but on arrival in Brum we were told trains towards Cheltenham and Gloucester were cancelled. “Passengers are having to get on rail replacement buses. It’s been an absolute nightmare.”
Another passenger on the same route said they were turned around between Gloucester and Bristol because the tracks had flooded. Passengers were reportedly told it was not safe for the train to continue.
National Rail warned passengers are not advised to travel between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads or South Wales, nor between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill.
There is widespread disruption on the Great Western Railway network, including:
- Between Swindon and Bristol Parkway
- Around Bath Spa
- Between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway
- Between Liskead and Looe
Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Some routes are being replaced with bus or coach travel – check with your ticket operator for details.
CrossCountry reports cancellations further afield, with some journeys to Plymouth and Penzance cancelled tonight. Other journeys are being listed as delayed, while some have been diverted.
“There are yellow and amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia in place today and tomorrow, Saturday 15 November, across parts of England,” the operator said.
“The poor weather is expected to cause disruption to services running on various routes across our network. Please check your entire journey in full before you travel.
“Disruption is expected until the end of the day on Saturday.”