TRAIN operator Great Western Railway (GWR) says it will be continuing to operate a speed restriction on its services across its network today (Monday) while the clear-up after Storm Eunice continues and while Storm Franklin continues to batter many areas.

The timetable disruption comes at a time when families will be embarking on journeys as the school half-term break begins.

A message on the company’s website states: “We’re sorry for the continued disruption to our services. Our teams are working hard to get trains running safely again as soon as possible.

“The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for much of the GWR network on Sunday and Monday as Storm Franklin moves in. Strong winds are forecast, posing a risk to lineside trees and structures already weakened by Storm Eunice.

“As a result, a 50mph speed restriction will be in place across the GWR network….until 16:00 on Monday, 21 February.

“We will be running a significantly reduced service, and late notice delays and cancellations are likely.

“Services that are able to run will be busy, and journeys will take longer. Degraded road conditions in the region will mean alternative transport will not be available.

“Customer advice – Monday, 21 February:-

“Changes to GWR Services:

“Online journey planners will be updated…. and we strongly recommend you check all journeys prior to travelling in case there have been any late changes.”

A summary of expected changes on Monday 21 February follows:-

- High speed services from London Paddington - West of England: Hourly service with significant longer journey times for customers travelling to Exeter St Davids, Plymouth and Penzance.

- Plymouth & Cornwall - Mainline services between Plymouth and Penzance will continue to operate.

- Cornwall - Services expected to operate as planned on the following branch line routes:

Plymouth – Gunnislake.

Liskeard – Looe.

Par – Newquay.

Truro - Falmouth Docks.

St Erth - St Ives.

- Devon Metro: Paignton - Exeter St Davids - Exmouth - operates as planned.

No services will operate between Exeter St Davids - Okehampton -Barnstaple due to planned engineering works. Replacement road transport in operation.

- High speed services from London Paddington - Bristol Temple Meads: Hourly service.

- Bristol area:-

- Cardiff Central - Taunton / Penzance: Hourly service between Cardiff Central and Taunton.

Customers should change at Taunton for onward connections towards the South West.

Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour: 2-hourly service between Bristol Temple Meads and Portsmouth Harbour only.

- Local Weston-Super-Mare - Bristol services will not run.

- Gloucester - Weymouth services via Bristol Temple Meads will operate as normal.

- No services will operate between Bristol Temple Meads - Avonmouth - Severn Beach due to planned engineering works. Replacement road transport in operation.

- High speed services from London Paddington - Cardiff Central/Swansea: Hourly service.

- High speed services London Paddington - Worcester/Hereford: Services will operate between Didcot Parkway and Worcester/Great Malvern only, approx hourly. Customers should change at Didcot Parkway for onward connections towards Reading and London Paddington.

- High speed services London Paddington - Cheltenham Spa: Services will operate between Swindon and Cheltenham Spa only. Customers should change at Swindon for onward connections towards Reading and London Paddington.

- Thames Valley:-

London Paddington - Didcot Parkway: Stopping services operate between Reading Didcot Parkway only. Customers should change at Reading and use TfL Rail services for intermediate stations between Reading & Ealing Broadway. Your GWR tickets will be valid on these services.

- Reading – Newbury: Reading-Newbury local stopping services will not run. However, an hourly Reading Bedwyn service will operate calling at all stations.

- Reading - Gatwick Airport: Direct services between Reading - Gatwick Airport will not run. However, Reading - Redhill stopping services will continue to operate as normal.

- The following Thames Valley branch lines are planned to operate as normal:

Reading - Basingstoke

Twyford - Henley-on-Thames

Slough - Windsor & Eton Central

Maidenhead - Marlow

West Ealing – Greenford

Keeping you updated: GWR says it is continuing to advise customers not to travel unless their journey is absolutely essential, if you do have to travel, the company strongly advises you to check your journey before setting off.

Keep up to date with the latest information on the GWR website, mobile app and social media platforms @GWRHelp.

Ticket easements: Tickets dated for travel on Friday, February 18, Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20, will be valid for travel until Wednesday, February 23.

Refunds: Customers who choose not to travel will be able to claim a fee-free refund. Those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to delay repay compensation if you are delayed by 15 mins or more. Find out more at https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/live-network-updates

Meanwhile, CrossCountry Trains, which runs services from Cornwall and Devon to Bristol, the Midlands, Northern England and Scotland is strongly advising people not to travel today (Monday).

The ‘Disruption’ message on its website reads: “Following days of severe weather across Britain, Storm Franklin will cause more disruption on the CrossCountry network. Passengers are strongly advised not to travel on Monday. Train times and disruption updates can be found on JourneyCheck and through National Rail Enquiries.

“Disruption on Monday - Speed restrictions will be imposed on much of the CrossCountry network to help keep passengers and staff safe. Below are the areas affected by a 50mph speed restriction and will therefore take longer to complete their journey.

“Services affected between:

• Worcestershire Parkway / Cheltenham Spa and the South West until 4pm.

• Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent until 10am.

• Banbury and Bournemouth until 4pm.

• Peterborough and Stansted Airport until end of the day.

“We advise expecting your journey times to roughly double through the affected areas and that connections may be missed as a result.

“Alongside the above, flooding prevents us to run trains via Doncaster today.

“We are working out what this will mean to train services and will update this page during the night. Please check your trains before travelling in the morning through National Rail Enquiries.

“Your Journey: -

“If you decide to travel on another date

“CrossCountry tickets dated Friday 18 February, Saturday 19 February, Sunday 20 February and Monday 21 February may be used on may be used on Monday 21 February and Tuesday 22 February 2022. You do not need to change or amend your ticket – simply show your original ticket to Train Crew and Station Staff when required.

“Your seat reservation will not transfer across – please sit in our unreserved coaches which are in Coach B, F, H and L, where available. You can check the formation of your train on the day via Realtime Trains.

“If you decided not to travel

“You are entitled to a full refund for unused tickets dated between 18 February 2022 and 21 February 2022 inclusive due to the disruption. This can be claimed via your ticket retailer. If purchased through the CrossCountry website or app then please contact our Web Support Team on [email protected] or 0371 244 2389. Our web support lines are open Monday - Sunday: 08:00-17:00.”

"Please note, a previously announced strike for Saturday 5 March has been called off and we expect to run all services originally scheduled on this date."