Trains have been cancelled and attractions will close as the North East and North Yorkshire braces for Storm Éowyn on Friday (24 January).
Strong winds are expected to cause widespread disruption across the UK, with an Amber warning in force for the region.
Rail operators have cancelled services and have issued ‘do not travel’ warnings across the network for the North East and North Yorkshire.
Meanwhile councils have begun to issue warnings, with Sunderland Council telling residents to expect travel delays, power outages, and be prepared for large waves in coastal areas.
Attractions and events have also been cancelled ahead of the severe weather arriving.
Here is what we know has been affected so far.
ITV Tyne Tees Weather Presenter Ross Hutchinson gives the forecast for Friday 24 January
Railways
Rail operator LNER says no trains will run north of Newcastle for the most part of Friday (24 January) due to severe weather warnings.
This will affect anyone travelling to or from Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed, as well as all LNER’s Scottish destinations including Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
The firm has confirmed the move to cancel services from 11am following multiple warnings issued by the Met Office for high winds across the UK.
LNER has said that currently, trains north of Newcastle are still showing in its Journey Planners as the company works to amend its timetable, but these will not run.
Meanwhile, the company is warning that services between York and Newcastle will also be subject to short-notice cancellation and significant delay. The operator said alternative travel options will be limited due to the nature of the weather.
LNER is advising customers not to travel to and from stations north of York. Customers can find the latest information and alternative travel options, which will be regularly updated, on LNER’s website.
Lumo is also strongly advising its passengers not to travel north of Newcastle in either direction, adding that if services are cancelled, no road replacement transport will be made available.
More information is available for passengers on a special page of the Lumo website.
TransPennine Express (TPE) is advising passengers not to travel on its services between York, Newcastle and Edinburgh on Friday due to Storm Éowyn.
Anyone due to travel on their services on Friday is being urged to check the TPE website at website.
CrossCountry have said many of its services will only run as far north as Leeds, with only a limited shuttle service between Leeds and Newcastle.
They are advising passengers not to travel between York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. More details are available on the CrossCountry website.
Northern has confirmed is is issuing ‘do not travel’ advice on its route linking Newcastle, Hexham and Carlisle, as well as the recently reopened Northumberland line between Newcastle and Ashington.
The Northern website has more information here.
Air
Newcastle Airport is warning that the adverse weather conditions from Storm Éowyn may cause disruption to flights due to arrive and depart on Friday.
The airport is recommending that passengers check their website or app for the latest flight information or contact their airline should their flight be disrupted.
Roads
National Highways are urging road users to check ahead and plan for disruption to their journeys.
They say isolated gusts of 90mph are possible for the peak of the A66 Pennine route.
The agency have told us there is a particularly high risk that high-sided vehicles and other ‘vulnerable’ vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over.
Attractions
Beamish Museum has confirmed it will not open tomorrow.
A statement on its website reads: “We’re saddened to have to make this decision but the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers must always come first and with the weather warnings in place for tomorrow, it just wouldn’t be possible to open.
“If you’re planning to visit us on Saturday, 25th January, based on the forecast we plan to open as usual, and should there be any changes to this, we’ll keep everyone updated on our website and social media.”
The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, will also close.
A message on its website states: “Due to the forecasted severe weather warning for Friday 24 January, we’ve made the decision to close The Bowes Museum and grounds to for the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff.
“We are aiming to reopen as usual on Saturday 25 January and look forward to welcoming you back.”
And Forestry England has issued a notice to confirm Hamsterley Forest will remain closed on Friday.
A post on Facebook said: “Due to the forecast high winds and Met Office amber weather warnings associated with Storm Eowyn, Hamsterley Forest will be closed on Friday 24 January.
“For your safety, do not attempt to access the forest during this time as there will potentially be a high risk of injury due to flying debris or falling branches.”
The organisation has also taken the decision to close Kielder Forester to visitors on Friday and into the weekend.
Its statement on Facebook reads: “Due to the warnings escalating on the incoming storm, the forest closure is now extended for this weekend. 24, 25 and and 26th January.
“This is to allow assessment of storm damage across the forest over the weekend where the priority is to keep the public safe and work with our local communities restoring access into rural homes around and in the forest boundary.”
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