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| Storm Barbara threatens to disrupt Christmas travel | Storm Barbara threatens to disrupt Christmas travel |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| People travelling for Christmas are being warned to expect disruption as Storm Barbara approaches the UK. | People travelling for Christmas are being warned to expect disruption as Storm Barbara approaches the UK. |
| The Met Office said the worst of the weather was expected on Friday and Saturday with gusts of up to 90mph forecast in parts of Scotland. | The Met Office said the worst of the weather was expected on Friday and Saturday with gusts of up to 90mph forecast in parts of Scotland. |
| Pockets of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England are also due to feel Barbara's force. | Pockets of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England are also due to feel Barbara's force. |
| The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning, meaning people should "be prepared". | The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning, meaning people should "be prepared". |
| Grahame Madge, spokesman for the Met Office, said: "We have had the good fortune to be able to issue the weather warnings ahead of Storm Barbara coming, with plenty of time hopefully for people to change their plans if they need to. | Grahame Madge, spokesman for the Met Office, said: "We have had the good fortune to be able to issue the weather warnings ahead of Storm Barbara coming, with plenty of time hopefully for people to change their plans if they need to. |
| "But the nature of the storm means it still has the potential to have an impact on power supplies, structures, and disrupt bridge and ferry crossings." | "But the nature of the storm means it still has the potential to have an impact on power supplies, structures, and disrupt bridge and ferry crossings." |
| Keep up to date with traffic and weather news on the BBC: | Keep up to date with traffic and weather news on the BBC: |
| The BBC Weather Centre has also warned of "the potential for some structural damage" most likely across the north west, as well as possible disruption to power supplies and travel. | The BBC Weather Centre has also warned of "the potential for some structural damage" most likely across the north west, as well as possible disruption to power supplies and travel. |
| Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said it was moving engineers to areas it expected to be hit by the storm, whilst Northern Powergrid said it was bringing on extra engineers in case of any issues caused by the weather. | Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said it was moving engineers to areas it expected to be hit by the storm, whilst Northern Powergrid said it was bringing on extra engineers in case of any issues caused by the weather. |
| Storm Barbara has been named in line with the Met Office's alphabetical policy for the strongest weather systems and is only the second name designated this season, which began on October 1, after Storm Angus. | |
| Storms are named only when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact in the UK or Republic of Ireland. | |
| Festive getaway | Festive getaway |
| The storm comes as travel is already being affected across the country because of strikes and 200 incidents of scheduled engineering works. | The storm comes as travel is already being affected across the country because of strikes and 200 incidents of scheduled engineering works. |
| Although the next strike day is not planned until New Year's Eve, Southern Rail has warned of disruption "every day" because of an ongoing overtime ban from the ASLEF and RMT unions. | Although the next strike day is not planned until New Year's Eve, Southern Rail has warned of disruption "every day" because of an ongoing overtime ban from the ASLEF and RMT unions. |
| Elsewhere, major disruptions include: | Elsewhere, major disruptions include: |
| Although industrial action by baggage handlers has been cancelled, British Airways cabin crew are still planning to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. | Although industrial action by baggage handlers has been cancelled, British Airways cabin crew are still planning to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. |
| Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf told BBC Scotland the government was working with agencies to do everything possible to help people travel safely. | Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf told BBC Scotland the government was working with agencies to do everything possible to help people travel safely. |
| He said: "Ferries are particularly susceptible to disruption due to high winds and we may also see some disruption to flights. Those planning to fly or use ferries this festive period should check with their operators for the latest information and consider the forecast as part of their plans." | He said: "Ferries are particularly susceptible to disruption due to high winds and we may also see some disruption to flights. Those planning to fly or use ferries this festive period should check with their operators for the latest information and consider the forecast as part of their plans." |
| 'Slow down' | 'Slow down' |
| Friday is also expected to be the busiest day on the road for the Christmas rush, with traffic information company Inrix saying some journeys may take twice or even three times as long compared with other times of the year. | Friday is also expected to be the busiest day on the road for the Christmas rush, with traffic information company Inrix saying some journeys may take twice or even three times as long compared with other times of the year. |
| It predicts the worst affected routes will be: | It predicts the worst affected routes will be: |
| London based private hire company Addison Lee said it expected Friday to see double the number of people try to get to rail stations compared with a normal weekday. | London based private hire company Addison Lee said it expected Friday to see double the number of people try to get to rail stations compared with a normal weekday. |
| The department for transport said it was keeping plans "under review" while Highways England warned drivers to be prepared. | The department for transport said it was keeping plans "under review" while Highways England warned drivers to be prepared. |
| A spokesman said: "Many people will be planning long journeys over the next few days to see friends and relatives during Christmas but it's vital they slow down during stormy weather. | A spokesman said: "Many people will be planning long journeys over the next few days to see friends and relatives during Christmas but it's vital they slow down during stormy weather. |
| "Rain makes it harder for tyres to grip the road and harder for drivers to see ahead - significantly increasing the chances of being involved in a crash." | "Rain makes it harder for tyres to grip the road and harder for drivers to see ahead - significantly increasing the chances of being involved in a crash." |
| In the UK and Ireland, storms are only named when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact. Barbara is only the second name designated this season after Storm Angus back in October. | In the UK and Ireland, storms are only named when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact. Barbara is only the second name designated this season after Storm Angus back in October. |