Storm Austen brought high winds with gusts expected to exceed 80mph in coastal areas of Devon and Cornwall, prompting the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning, its second highest level, for strong winds in the South West of England.
Rail Service Modifications and Cancellations in Response to Storm Austen
Network Rail and Great Western Railway imposed lower speed limits on all train services in Devon and Cornwall from the start of operations until 1pm on Friday 23 October 2026 to ensure safety. Long-distance services were limited to running between London Paddington and Plymouth, with local shuttle services operating between Plymouth and Penzance. The Thursday night Sleeper service from
London Paddington was scheduled to terminate at Plymouth. CrossCountry cancelled all services between Penzance and Plymouth on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2026. Early-morning services faced additional cancellations to allow damage assessment in daylight.
Safety Measures Including Track Clearance Operations
Storm Austen’s high winds increased the risk of trees and debris falling onto railway tracks, requiring urgent safety responses. Network Rail deployed chainsaw teams and specialist colleagues to clear debris and keep the railway operational across its 20,000 miles of track and assets.
Passenger Advisory on Travel and Refunds
Passengers were advised to verify train times before travelling by checking GWR.com/check due to cancellations and delays. Customers with cancelled journeys were
allowed to travel on two trains before or after their booked service. Those cancelling their travel could claim full refunds via Great Western Railway’s support. Network Rail provided a national helpline at 03457 11 41 41 for additional inquiries.
Statements from Network Rail and GWR Leadership
Daryn McCombe, Western performance director for GWR and Network Rail, said, “We’re grateful for everyone’s patience as our teams work hard to keep people moving safely.” He added, “We’ll be doing everything we can to keep tracks clear, with chainsaw teams and specialist colleagues deployed to remove any debris as quickly as we can.” McCombe emphasized, “While we will operate as
many trains as possible, these measures are about making sure we can keep services running as safely as possible during the storm.” He urged travelers planning to journey in the South West on Friday, especially in the morning, to check the latest travel advice before setting out.
