Storm Claudia has unleashed heavy rain across the UK, leading to severe flooding on train tracks and causing widespread travel chaos. Passengers attempting to reach their destinations have endured hours of delays and cancellations, with some stranded on trains for extended periods.
Gloucestershire, among other areas, remains under amber and yellow weather warnings until early Saturday morning, with more rain forecast overnight. This has forced rail operators, including CrossCountry and Great Western Railway, to advise passengers to avoid travel if possible on Friday, November 14.
One passenger recounted a frustrating journey that began at Manchester Piccadilly at 3:08 pm and saw no progress by 8:45 pm. The train initially got stuck outside Congleton in Cheshire before returning to Manchester. After a series of detours—getting off at Stockport, traveling to Crewe, then attempting routes through Hereford and Shrewsbury—the journey was ultimately halted due to cancellations. The passenger described boarding replacement buses amid an “absolute nightmare” of disrupted connections.
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Another traveler reported being turned back between Gloucester and Bristol when tracks flooded, with safety concerns cited as the reason for the train’s retreat.
National Rail has issued warnings against traveling between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads or South Wales, as well as between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill, due to flooding risks.
The Great Western Railway network is experiencing significant disruption, with some routes replaced by buses or coaches. CrossCountry has similarly reported cancellations and delays affecting destinations as far as Plymouth and Penzance, with some trains diverted.
Both operators emphasize that yellow and amber weather warnings related to Storm Claudia remain in effect through Saturday, November 15. Passengers are urged to check the status of their entire journeys before traveling, as disruptions are expected to last through the day.