Trees on the Winchester track

Disruption expected on South Western Railway service on Monday: 50mph speed restriction

SWR is planning to operate services on all routes tomorrow, but still faces challenging weather conditions as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Storm Franklin until the end of Monday.

With strong winds forecast, there will be a 50mph speed restriction across the SWR network on Monday to protect the safety of our customers and colleagues, causing delays and cancellations to services.

Anticipate further line blockages
We also anticipate further line blockages due to fallen trees and strongly advise our customers to consider whether their journey is essential before setting off.

Trees on the line at Netley
Trees on the line at Netley

Regrettably we are unable to guarantee replacement travel services will be provided during this challenging time.

Customers should check and re-check their journey before travelling by visiting the Website.

Trees on the line at Ewell West
Trees on the line at Ewell West

Neill: Our teams have been working tirelessly
Christian Neill, Customer Experience Director for South Western Railway said,

“We understand Monday marks the first day back from half term for many and we are sorry for the continuing disruption these storms are causing. It has been an incredibly challenging few days and our teams have been working tirelessly to clear the tracks to safely run as many trains as possible.

“With more severe weather expected on Monday, we are asking customers to consider whether their journey is essential and make other plans if they can”

Trees on the line at Winchester cutting
Trees on the line at Winchester cutting

Killick: Consider if your journey is essential
Mark Killick, Route Director for Network Rail said,

“Storm Franklin is set to cause further disruption on our route so we’re asking our customers to consider if their journey is essential, and if it is, to check before travelling on Monday. With strong winds approaching from a different direction, it’s likely that trees weakened by Storm Eunice will be forced down and could block lines.

“The safety of our customers and our staff, who have worked around the clock since Friday to remove debris and repair damaged infrastructure, is our number one priority. I’d like to thank our customers for their patience over the last three days and again ask them to check before travelling.”

Tickets booked for travel on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be accepted on Tuesday.

More than 50 fallen trees cleared
Since Friday’s winds of over 90mph, Network Rail have cleared more than 50 fallen trees from the South Western Railway region.

With the wind direction expected to change it is very likely that more trees will come down during storm Franklin, having been weakened over the last two days.


News shared by Steve on behalf of South Western Railway. Ed