Storm Goretti triggers major timetable cuts on Chiltern Railways

Chiltern Railways has warned passengers that services will be heavily affected by Storm Goretti, with only half of the normal timetable operating on Friday 09 January. The operator has advised customers to consider changing travel plans where possible as trains that do run are expected to be busy.

Disruption is also possible on Thursday 08 January, particularly from 5pm onwards, with late evening services potentially altered at short notice. Passengers are being urged to check their journeys before travelling.

On Friday, a reduced timetable will see one train per hour in each direction on the following routes: Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone, London Marylebone to Oxford, London Marylebone to High Wycombe, London Marylebone to Aylesbury via Amersham, and Aylesbury to Princes Risborough.

There will be no Chiltern Railways services north of Birmingham Moor Street or on the Stratford-upon-Avon line. Several stations will not be served on Friday, including Hatton, Lapworth, Kings Sutton, Sudbury Hill Harrow, Sudbury & Harrow Road and South Ruislip. Rail replacement buses will not be provided.

Tickets dated for Thursday evening or Friday can instead be used earlier on Thursday or on Saturday 10 January. Refunds are available for those who decide not to travel and should be requested from the original point of purchase.

Tony Baxter, Operations Director at Chiltern Railways, said:

“I urge our customers to stay safe as Storm Goretti will cause significant disruption to our network on Friday (09 January). Please consider changing your travel plans where possible on Friday as a significantly reduced service will be in operation, and trains which are running are likely to be busier. The storm is also likely to affect evening services today (Thursday 08 January), so please check your journeys before heading out and take care.”

Martin Colmey, Operations Director for Network Rail Central route, said:

“Our teams are working hard alongside our train operator partners to prepare the rail network for this weather. The safety of passengers and colleagues is our priority and a reduced timetable has been implemented so that we can continue to safely run trains for essential journeys. I would urge passengers to check before they travel as there will be disruption to services during the extreme weather.”

Image: Chiltern Railways