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Storm Barbara set to disrupt Christmas travel across Britain Storm Barbara begins battering UK on busiest day of Christmas travel
(35 minutes later)
Millions of travellers face a festive getaway headache as Storm Barbara begins to batter parts of the UK with gusts up to 120mph on what is expected to be the busiest day of Christmas travel.Millions of travellers face a festive getaway headache as Storm Barbara begins to batter parts of the UK with gusts up to 120mph on what is expected to be the busiest day of Christmas travel.
The storm was already causing power cuts and travel misery, with winds of 60mph to 70mph expected across the west and north-west of Scotland, while gusts up to 120mph were recorded on the summit of Cairn Gorm. Properties in Aberdeenshire, Moray and on the Western Isles lost power, with engineers working to reconnect supply.The storm was already causing power cuts and travel misery, with winds of 60mph to 70mph expected across the west and north-west of Scotland, while gusts up to 120mph were recorded on the summit of Cairn Gorm. Properties in Aberdeenshire, Moray and on the Western Isles lost power, with engineers working to reconnect supply.
The worst of the conditions are forecast over the far north of the country and the Western and Northern Isles, but disruption to power supplies and travel is expected to be felt across the UK.The worst of the conditions are forecast over the far north of the country and the Western and Northern Isles, but disruption to power supplies and travel is expected to be felt across the UK.
At midday on Friday, gusts of 74mph were recorded on South Uist, 67mph on Stornoway and 53mph in while Edinburgh.At midday on Friday, gusts of 74mph were recorded on South Uist, 67mph on Stornoway and 53mph in while Edinburgh.
Scotland’s transport minister, Humza Yousaf, said: “Ministers have been receiving regular updates on the impact of the severe weather across this week … Our transport operators and trunk road operating companies are working hard to keep services and roads running, safety has to be our top priority, so we are seeing delays and cancellations to flights and ferries.Scotland’s transport minister, Humza Yousaf, said: “Ministers have been receiving regular updates on the impact of the severe weather across this week … Our transport operators and trunk road operating companies are working hard to keep services and roads running, safety has to be our top priority, so we are seeing delays and cancellations to flights and ferries.
“We would urge everyone to check the latest sources of information before they travel and keep in mind that the situation can change quickly.”“We would urge everyone to check the latest sources of information before they travel and keep in mind that the situation can change quickly.”
More travelling misery in the north is expected on Boxing Day, with a further amber alert for Storm Conor now being issued for the far north of the country.More travelling misery in the north is expected on Boxing Day, with a further amber alert for Storm Conor now being issued for the far north of the country.
Amber “be prepared” wind warnings are in place for northern and western parts of Scotland for Friday afternoon, evening and overnight into Christmas Eve.Amber “be prepared” wind warnings are in place for northern and western parts of Scotland for Friday afternoon, evening and overnight into Christmas Eve.
Gusts of 60-70mph are expected in the north of the UK, while in the south a narrow but intense band of heavy rain and gusty winds could lead to disruption.Gusts of 60-70mph are expected in the north of the UK, while in the south a narrow but intense band of heavy rain and gusty winds could lead to disruption.
Flood alerts are in place for the Highlands and Western Isles, as well as Skye and the Scottish Borders.Flood alerts are in place for the Highlands and Western Isles, as well as Skye and the Scottish Borders.
Brent Walker, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Storm Barbara is crossing the Atlantic and will pass close to the north-west of the UK during Friday, bringing the potential for some disruption to power supplies and travel, and possibly structural damage.”Brent Walker, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Storm Barbara is crossing the Atlantic and will pass close to the north-west of the UK during Friday, bringing the potential for some disruption to power supplies and travel, and possibly structural damage.”
People in Scotland, England and Wales can call free on 105 if the weather damages their local power network and affects electricity supply.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents hundreds of councils in England and Wales, said it was issuing renewed advice on how to deal with flash floods and had stockpiled more than a million tonnes of salt to grit roads.The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents hundreds of councils in England and Wales, said it was issuing renewed advice on how to deal with flash floods and had stockpiled more than a million tonnes of salt to grit roads.
Rail disruption is expected to cause more trouble for holidaymakers , with a number of lines closed for an extended period as Network Rail carries out up to 200 improvement projects costing £103m.Rail disruption is expected to cause more trouble for holidaymakers , with a number of lines closed for an extended period as Network Rail carries out up to 200 improvement projects costing £103m.
The company defended the scheduling. Network Rail’s chief executive, Mark Carne, told BBC Breakfast: “The reality is this is the best time of the year for us to do this sort of huge engineering project because the numbers of people travelling by train is about half of what it is on a normal weekend or a normal day.”The company defended the scheduling. Network Rail’s chief executive, Mark Carne, told BBC Breakfast: “The reality is this is the best time of the year for us to do this sort of huge engineering project because the numbers of people travelling by train is about half of what it is on a normal weekend or a normal day.”
No trains will operate to or from London Paddington between Saturday and Thursday because of work to build Crossrail. As a result, Heathrow Express services will be suspended for six days and Great Western Railway trains will terminate at Ealing Broadway.No trains will operate to or from London Paddington between Saturday and Thursday because of work to build Crossrail. As a result, Heathrow Express services will be suspended for six days and Great Western Railway trains will terminate at Ealing Broadway.
ScotRail said that due to the severe weather conditions forecast, there would be speed restrictions and a small number of service withdrawals on Friday. ScotRail said there would be speed restrictions and a small number of service withdrawals on Friday because of the severe weather forecast.
Southern rail has warned passengers to expect a severely reduced and disrupted service between 31 December and 2 January due to a strike by conductors. Southern rail has warned passengers to expect a severely reduced and disrupted service between 31 December and 2 January owing to a strike by conductors. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has confirmed the three-day action will go ahead.
ADD Engineering work will also affect passengers travelling in Manchester and Cardiff.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union confirmed strikes on Southern Railway will go ahead. Workers will walk out for three days from New Year’s Eve. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The action this week has been rock solid and is sending a strong message to Southern that we stand fully united against their deplorable tactics and lack of concern for passenger safety and well-being.” The annual festive shutdown means no trains will run on Christmas Day and only limited services on Boxing Day. That could push more travellers on to the roads. The AA predicts about 12m cars will be on the roads on Friday. .
END ADD The AA’s John Snowling said: “It’s likely to be very busy at peak times on the major routes as the Christmas getaway coincides with commuter traffic. With Christmas falling on a weekend, many people will start their break from Friday, but almost a third of our members will be making their journey on Saturday and more than a fifth will be travelling on Christmas Day to visit friends and family.”
Passengers travelling in Manchester and Cardiff will be affected by engineering work.
The annual festive shutdown means no trains will run on Christmas Day and only limited services on Boxing Day. That could push more travellers on to the roads. The AA predicts about 12m cars will be on the roads on Friday. More than 41% of 19,000 motorists it surveyed said they expected to drive more than 20 miles.
The AA’s John Snowling said: “On Friday, it’s likely to be very busy at peak times on the major routes as the Christmas getaway coincides with commuter traffic. With Christmas falling on a weekend, many people will start their break from Friday, but almost a third of our members will be making their journey on Saturday and more than a fifth will be travelling on Christmas Day to visit friends and family.”
Highways England said 448 miles of roadworks on motorways and major roads had been suspended or completed, leaving 98% of roads free of works until 3 January.Highways England said 448 miles of roadworks on motorways and major roads had been suspended or completed, leaving 98% of roads free of works until 3 January.
The roadside rescue firm Green Flag estimated that almost 500,000 people would break down between 15 December and 15 January – equivalent to one every 11 minutes.The roadside rescue firm Green Flag estimated that almost 500,000 people would break down between 15 December and 15 January – equivalent to one every 11 minutes.
The coach operator National Express reported last month that its bookings for Christmas Day were up by more than a third compared with last year, and demand for seats on Boxing Day had risen by almost a fifth. It is running its biggest Christmas service, with 50% more coaches on the roads on 25 December than last year.The coach operator National Express reported last month that its bookings for Christmas Day were up by more than a third compared with last year, and demand for seats on Boxing Day had risen by almost a fifth. It is running its biggest Christmas service, with 50% more coaches on the roads on 25 December than last year.
The travel association Abta said Friday was expected to be the busiest day for airports as people jet off to spend Christmas overseas. More than 4.5 million people will head abroad from the UK between 18 December and 2 January.The travel association Abta said Friday was expected to be the busiest day for airports as people jet off to spend Christmas overseas. More than 4.5 million people will head abroad from the UK between 18 December and 2 January.
Heathrow said the most popular day for flights in the week leading up to Christmas would be Friday, with more than 118,000 departing passengers.Heathrow said the most popular day for flights in the week leading up to Christmas would be Friday, with more than 118,000 departing passengers.