Storm Ciara Shuts Down Thameslink and Great Northern Routes This Sunday
Brace yourselves, commuters! Thameslink and Great Northern have warned passengers to avoid travelling on two major routes this Sunday, 9 February, due to the looming threat of Storm Ciara.
Dangerous Winds and Torrential Rain Expected
The Met Office is predicting fierce winds reaching up to 80mph, along with heavy rain. These conditions pose a serious risk of damage to overhead power lines and could blow trees and debris onto the tracks, jeopardising safety and causing chaos across the rail network.
Severe Service Cuts and Speed Restrictions
To keep everyone safe, Network Rail will impose a 50mph speed limit throughout the network on Sunday. Thameslink and Great Northern will be forced to slash services, meaning any trains running will be slower and less frequent.
- Key routes affected: Peterborough to London, Bedford to London
- Plus heavy disruption between Kings Lynn, Cambridge, and London
- Service disruption likely to spill into Monday morning
Official Warning and Advice
“We are putting passengers first, and thinking of their safety given the extreme weather forecast,” said Tom Moran, Managing Director of Thameslink and Great Northern. “There is a high risk of disruption right across our network, so we are advising passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary on our key routes.”
“We will have extra managers on the ground and early morning staff checks on Monday to ensure routes are clear. But please expect disruptions and check www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.”
Commuters are strongly urged to avoid Sunday travel where possible and keep an eye on the latest updates online.
