UK rail firms reduce services as Storm Ciara approaches – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

Dozens of rail firms are running reduced services as the UK braces for Storm Ciara, which is expected to bring winds of more than 93 mph.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north-east of England on Saturday.

The warning is expected to spread to the rest of the UK by Sunday, with an additional amber warning in place in south-east England and Wales signalling very strong winds.

Several rail companies said they would operate (a reduced service) with speed restrictions in place. Among them is Network Rail, which has restricted trains to 66 mph across the majority of their lines.

Grand Central has canceled all its services between London, Bradford and Sunderland on Sunday.

LNER, Avanti West Coast and South Western Railway are among the train companies that said customers with tickets for Sunday would also be able to use them on some services on Saturday or Monday. Commuters are being advised to check National Rail for updates before traveling this weekend .

The Met Office’s chief meteorologist, Frank Saunders, said: “Winds will increase through Saturday across Northern Ireland, (Scotland) , northern England and Wales, before turning very windy across the rest of UK through the early hours of Sunday morning.

Gusts of 75 to 76 mph are expected quite widely across inland areas, with even stronger gusts of 93 mph or higher along coastal areas. ”

The London Winter Run 20 k event, due to be attended by , , was cancelled after organizers said they were “ not able to guarantee the safety of our runners, crew and volunteers ”.

London’s eight Royal parks, including Hyde park and Regent’s park, will close on Sunday .

The opening ceremony to celebrate Galway’s year as European Capital of Culture has been cancelled due to bad weather buffeting Ireland’s west coast. The event had been due to feature a fire-lighting spectacle and draw crowds of thousands.

The Galway ceremony organisers said: “We have been in constant contact with the relevant authorities since the weather warnings were put in place earlier this week and, in the interests of the safety of the public the weather warnings currently in place mean that it has been deemed unsafe to go ahead.

“We are saddened for the community cast, our volunteers and the whole team who have worked so hard during the last weeks and months.

“Today’s event would have marked the finale of what has been a hugely successful week-long series of events on the fire tour of lighting ceremonies that have lit up towns across the county.”

Saturday evening’s ceremony was designed to be the culmination of smaller events around Galway next week. Forecaster Met Éireann issued an orange wind warning for the region as Storm Ciara is expected to bring gusts of up to 80 mph.

Drivers are being warned to take extra care on the roads due to potentially difficult conditions caused by heavy rain, particularly on coastal or exposed routes.

Guy Addington, regional water safety lead at the RNLI, said: “This rough weather could make visiting our coasts around the UK and Ireland treacherous and bring very dangerous sea conditions. ”

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