Storm Boelo Sunday 25 October travel update as trains cancelled and passengers warned

Storm Boelo is causing major travel disruption across parts of the UK on Sunday 25 October, with train cancellations, reduced timetables and warnings for passengers travelling between England and Scotland.

Avanti West Coast is advising passengers to avoid travelling north of Preston, while LNER has cancelled almost all services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Strong winds are also threatening ferry crossings and road journeys, with amber and yellow weather warnings affecting Scotland and parts of northern England.

With half-term travel underway, passengers heading home from weekend breaks or setting off on holidays are being urged to check their journeys before leaving home. National Rail has warned that disruption could continue into Monday 26 October.

Avanti West Coast warns against travel north of Preston

Avanti West Coast has introduced a reduced timetable on the West Coast Main Line north of Preston, with speed restrictions meaning fewer trains and longer journeys throughout Sunday.

The affected destinations include Lancaster, Blackpool North, Oxenholme Lake District, Penrith North Lakes, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. Passengers are strongly advised to postpone journeys where possible rather than risk lengthy delays or cancellations.

Passengers holding eligible Avanti West Coast tickets dated Sunday 25 October for journeys north of Preston can travel on Monday 26 or Tuesday 27 October instead, without paying extra. Those who decide not to travel can request a full refund from their original ticket retailer.

LNER cancels almost all Aberdeen trains

LNER has advised passengers not to travel between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, with almost every service on the route cancelled for Sunday. The only planned exception is the 13.47 departure from Aberdeen to Edinburgh.

Replacement coaches will not be available because of the expected weather and road conditions. A reduced hourly service is also planned between Northallerton or Darlington and Newcastle or Edinburgh, while trains between London King’s Cross and Doncaster or Leeds are expected to operate normally.

Services to and from Inverness are expected to continue running, although short-notice alterations remain possible. Separately, planned engineering work between Doncaster and Northallerton is also affecting some services this weekend, meaning not every timetable alteration is directly connected to Storm Boelo.

TransPennine Express and Northern services disrupted

TransPennine Express has urged passengers to make essential journeys only, with major changes affecting services between northern England and Scotland.

Its Liverpool Lime Street to Glasgow Central services have been cancelled for Sunday, while most West Coast Main Line journeys will start or terminate at Carlisle. The operator’s website lists a small number of services continuing into Scotland, although National Rail’s disruption notice gives different information. Passengers should confirm their individual departure before travelling.

No replacement transport is being provided for the affected TransPennine Express services, meaning passengers should avoid relying on connecting buses where trains have been cancelled.

Northern has also announced alterations across parts of its network following Storms Austen and Boelo, with disruption expected to continue into Monday 26 October. Passengers travelling across Yorkshire, Lancashire and the North East should check their specific routes rather than relying on normal Sunday timetables.

ScotRail, CrossCountry, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales are among the other operators reporting storm-related alterations, extending the disruption beyond the main routes into Scotland.

Ferry passengers face further disruption

Ferry services along Scotland’s west coast are also vulnerable to disruption, with CalMac warning that strong winds and rough seas could affect crossings throughout Sunday.

Sailings may be delayed or cancelled, while some ports could operate reduced opening hours. Passengers travelling to the Scottish islands should check their specific sailing before setting off, particularly where journeys involve connecting trains or onward road travel.

Drivers warned about dangerous conditions

Police Scotland has urged motorists to consider whether their journeys are necessary, with an amber warning for strong winds affecting much of Scotland during the weekend. Yellow wind warnings also cover Scotland and parts of northern England, with passengers and drivers advised to check the Met Office for the latest warning times and locations.

Gusts of 60 to 70mph have been forecast in exposed areas, potentially reaching 80mph around some coastal locations. Fallen trees, flying debris and strong crosswinds could make driving particularly hazardous on bridges and open roads.

Drivers of high-sided vehicles, including lorries and buses, are being urged to take extra care. Wet roads, poor visibility and standing water may add to the difficulties, while some routes could face restrictions or temporary closures if conditions deteriorate.

Passengers advised to check flights

Air passengers travelling through airports affected by strong winds should check their flight status directly with their airline before leaving home. Weather conditions could affect individual departures and arrivals, although disruption will vary between airports.

Travellers should also allow additional time to reach terminals, particularly where rail cancellations or difficult road conditions could affect their journey.

Can passengers claim refunds for cancelled trains?

Rail passengers whose trains are cancelled and who decide not to travel are generally entitled to a refund on their unused tickets without an administration fee. Several operators have also introduced temporary arrangements allowing affected passengers to use alternative services or travel on different dates.

Those who complete their journeys but arrive late may qualify for compensation through their train company’s Delay Repay scheme, depending on the circumstances and length of the delay. Passengers should keep their tickets and booking details to support any claim.

Anyone considering replacement transport should check what their operator will accept before making separate arrangements, as additional costs are not automatically covered.

Will travel disruption continue into Monday?

Although the strongest winds are expected to ease gradually, National Rail has warned that disruption could continue into Monday 26 October.

Railway lines may need safety inspections, while fallen trees, damaged equipment and speed restrictions could delay the return to normal services. Passengers heading home after weekend breaks or making half-term journeys should not assume that all timetables will be restored immediately.

Those with Monday bookings are advised to check for alterations before setting off, particularly on routes connecting Scotland with northern England.

Where to check the latest Storm Boelo travel updates

Passengers travelling on Sunday 25 October or Monday 26 October should check the latest information before leaving home, as train services, ferry crossings and road conditions may change throughout the day.

National Rail’s live journey planner provides departure and arrival information for individual trains, while the following official websites offer updates on cancellations, delays, road restrictions, weather warnings and alternative travel arrangements.

• National Rail – Live train departure and arrival times, cancellations, delays and disruption across Britain.
• Avanti West Coast – West Coast Main Line services, journey changes and ticket flexibility.
• LNER – East Coast Main Line services and disruption between Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
• TransPennine Express – Northern England and Scotland services, including Carlisle connections.
• Northern – Regional train cancellations and delays across northern England.
• ScotRail – Train services throughout Scotland.
• CalMac – Scottish ferry sailing updates and cancellations.
• Traffic Scotland – Road closures, bridge restrictions and traffic incidents across Scotland.
• National Highways – Live traffic information for England’s motorways and major A-roads.
• Met Office – Current weather warnings and affected areas.

Passengers whose journeys have been cancelled should also check their operator’s refund or ticket flexibility arrangements before booking replacement transport. Even where a service is still scheduled to run, checking for last-minute alterations could help avoid unnecessary disruption.