More travel chaos as Storm Frankin hits rail and road journeys
Many train operators urged passengers not to travel as lines are blocked by fallen trees and flooding caused by stormy weather.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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 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.