London, Feb 18, (PA Media/dpa/GNA) – People are being urged to postpone travel plans, as Storm Eunice wreaks havoc with transport networks across Britain.
Train operators across Britain urged passengers to avoid travelling on Friday, as emergency 80 kilometres per hour (km/h) speed limits are in place in many areas.
This is to make it easier for train drivers to brake if they spot objects on the track or damage to overhead wires caused by strong winds.
No trains will operate in Wales for the entire day.
That means Great Western Railway services from London Paddington are terminating at Bristol Parkway instead of continuing to Swansea.
Among the firms advising customers not to travel on Friday are Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Northern, London North Eastern Railway, Southern and Thameslink.
Network Rail staff worked to reopen lines hit by Storm Dudley earlier this week.
Roads were also expected to be treacherous on Friday.
The AA said on Thursday it was “experiencing a very high demand” for its breakdown rescue services.
EasyJet said it has cancelled a “small number of flights” from British airports on Friday.
Passengers on easyJet flight EJU8014 from Bordeaux to London Gatwick endured two aborted landings before their plane was put in a holding pattern over the south coast and then forced to return to the French city.
It touched down back at its starting point more than three hours after it departed.
The airline told passengers: “We’re very sorry that your flight has now been diverted back to Bordeaux.
“This is due to poor weather conditions in London Gatwick, which are below safe operating limits.”
British Airways said the rate of aircraft permitted to land at Heathrow Airport “is being reduced due to gale force winds.”
The airport wrote on Twitter: “High winds and poor weather may cause last-minute delays, but we will do everything in our power to minimise any disruption that results.”
Several ferry services due to sail across the Irish Sea were cancelled.
Transport for London urged people to avoid non-essential journeys in the capital.
A spokeswoman said: “We are doing all we can to ensure we are prepared for any impact, with extra staff ready to respond quickly to any incidents, but some services will be affected by the extreme weather.
“We are also urging Londoners to please take care if they travel around the city.”
GNA