The destructive effects of Storm Éowyn mean that no trains are expected to run in Scotland before midday on Saturday.

ScotRail said the storm had caused ‘significant damage to infrastructure throughout the country’, and Network Rail engineers will work through the night to remove fallen trees and other debris from the tracks.

But overhead lines have also been ‘extensively’ damaged. ScotRail said: ‘The safety of our staff and our customers is our absolute priority, and we will only run trains when it is safe to do so.’ 

Meanwhile, damage to overhead lines caused by the high winds has disrupted several tram routes in Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester said the damage at Deansgate Castlefield meant that trams on the Airport, Didsbury, Eccles, Altrincham and Trafford Park lines must terminate outside the city centre.

Engineering staff are at the scene of the damage, but TfGM warned that repairs are being ‘hampered by challenging weather conditions’.

TfGM’s interim Metrolink director Ian Davies said: ’We are doing everything we can to resolve this situation at Deansgate Castlefield but the conditions are making this very difficult and there is likely to be disruption for the rest of the day.’