No trains are running in Scotland today, because Storm Éowyn is threatening to bring gusts of up to 160km/h. The Met Office has issued an upgraded red warning for much of Scotland which includes the central belt as well as the Borders, Fife, Tayside and the south west towards Stranraer and Carlisle. Caledonian Sleeper services have also been cancelled.

There is more disruption in much of England and Wales. This reaches as far south as Sussex, where Southern has introduced a blanket 50mph (80km/h) speed restriction. Passengers on the East Coast and West Coast Main Lines are being warned to think twice before travelling north, and there are no trains beyond Newcastle or Preston.

Northern has issued a general ‘do not travel’ warning for today, and there are no TransPennine Express trains from Manchester or Liverpool to York and Newcastle, or to any Scottish stations. TPE says other services in England may be changed or cancelled at short notice.

There are cancellations or delays on a number of Welsh routes, particular those serving stations in west Wales like Fishguard Harbour and Pembroke Dock. There are also no trains on the Heart of Wales Line between Shrewsbury and Swansea, or on the Conwy Valley Line to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Reports have been coming in of fallen trees. The line is blocked at Gwersyllt between Bidston and Wrexham General, and more trees caused obstructions in England at Hazel Grove and Birchwood. These trees have been removed, but disruption is still likely this morning between Stockport and Sheffield, and between Warrington Central and Manchester Oxford Road.

Trains between Birmingham and Liverpool Lime Street have been cut back to the section between Birmingham and Crewe, and there are no rail replacement buses.

South Western Railway is warning of problems on some routes, which have included a tree blocking the railway between Hook and Basingstoke. Passengers travelling west of Basingstoke are being asked to allow extra time for their journeys.

ScotRail service delivery director Mark Ilderton said: ‘The Met Office weather warnings for very high winds across the country mean that it will not be safe for our customers and our staff. Our first priority is always to ensure the safety of staff and passengers.’

Do you have a comment on this story? Please click here  to send an email to Platform at Railnews.

Moderated comments will be published on this site, and may also be used in the next print edition RN336, published 13 February.