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Gales hit mainline rail services Gales hit mainline rail services
(about 4 hours later)
Rail passengers are being advised to avoid travelling on the East Coast Mainline on Wednesday as high winds sweep across England.Rail passengers are being advised to avoid travelling on the East Coast Mainline on Wednesday as high winds sweep across England.
Network Rail has imposed a 50mph speed limit between Stevenage and Edinburgh due to the risk of track obstruction or power line failure. Mainline operator National Express has imposed an 80mph speed limit between Stevenage and Edinburgh due to the risk of track obstruction or power failures.
Mainline operator National Express said tickets bought for Wednesday would still be valid on Thursday. However, the company said tickets bought for Wednesday would still be valid on Thursday.
Passengers who choose to travel should expect severe delays. Passengers who choose to travel should expect delays.
'Precautionary limit' 'Knock-on effect'
A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "After liaising with the Met Office, we have decided to impose the speed limit due to the danger posed by the high winds. A National Express spokesman said: "The trains have been fairly quiet today, so passengers appear to be heeding our warning to delay their journeys until tomorrow.
"There are no issues with the trains or with the rail infrastructure - the only problem is the weather. "The speed restriction is likely to be in place until 1700 GMT, though realistically it will have a knock-on effect for the rest of the day."
"At the moment, the restriction is a precaution as objects could easily be blown onto the track or affect power lines."
The speed limit would be reviewed at about lunchtime on Wednesday, she added.
Other train services, including the Sunderland to London link operated by Grand Central, are also affected.Other train services, including the Sunderland to London link operated by Grand Central, are also affected.
Passengers are being urged to check with National Rail Enquiries before travelling.Passengers are being urged to check with National Rail Enquiries before travelling.
Earlier this month, West Coast rail passengers were hit by delays after gale-force winds blew containers from two freight trains onto the tracks. The West Coast Mainline has also been disrupted by the high winds.
A 50mph limit on the line has since been lifted, but many cancelled services will not be reinstated today.