Storm Goretti prompts service suspensions and travel warnings across the North West

Network Rail teams in the North West are stepping up preparations for snow and ice ahead of Storm Goretti, treating tracks, station surfaces, and applying de-icer to points to maintain safe operations.

The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for snow across large parts of the North West and the Midlands from Thursday evening (8 January), with conditions expected to continue into Friday 9 January. Passengers have been advised to check their journeys in advance, particularly in High Peak, where the heaviest snowfall is forecast and some routes may close.

Travel north from London Euston may also be affected, as Avanti West Coast will operate fewer services to Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool. Northern has warned that services on certain routes will be suspended from around 5pm on Thursday until Saturday 10 January, including: Buxton to Hazel Grove, New Mills Central to Sheffield, and Guide Bridge to Glossop/Hadfield.

Ross Davies, Network Rail’s North West operations director, said:

“We are doing everything we can to prepare the railway for the impacts from Storm Goretti. I’d urge passengers to check before they travel as there is likely to be disruption to services during the extreme weather. The safety of passengers and colleagues will be at the heart of everything we do as we respond to this storm.”

Tricia Williams, managing director at Northern, said:

“We have issued 'Do Not Travel' warnings on these three routes and are advising customers to check before they travel on other routes across our network and allow extra time for their journeys. We never do this without careful consideration and are working closely with Network Rail to prepare for the storm. We will be running services where it is safe to do so.”

Image: Network Rail