The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for parts of South West England from 3am to 10am on Friday, warning of gusts up to 80mph caused by Storm Austen. The storm poses risks of power outages, building damage, and flying debris across Devon, Cornwall, and surrounding regions.
Rail Service Speed Restrictions and Cancellations
Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail have imposed lower speed limits on rail services in Devon and Cornwall until 1pm on Friday to safeguard passengers. GWR’s long-distance trains will run only between London Paddington and Plymouth, with a shuttle service operating between Plymouth and Penzance. The overnight Sleeper service departing
London Paddington Thursday night will terminate early at Plymouth.
CrossCountry has cancelled all trains running between Penzance and Plymouth on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2026. Several early morning services may be cancelled to facilitate track damage assessments during daylight hours. Chainsaw teams and specialist crews have been deployed to clear fallen debris from rail lines swiftly.
Passenger Advisories and Travel Impact
Passengers traveling through Devon, Cornwall, and the South West are urged to consult the latest travel information before departure, especially on Friday morning, when the amber warning is active. Reduced train speeds will lower the number of services running, resulting in increased
crowding and possible delays for operating trains. Passengers with cancelled journeys may use tickets on trains up to two departures before or after their booked service.
Operational Efforts and Weather Context
Daryn McCombe, Western performance director for GWR and Network Rail, stated, “We’re grateful for everyone’s patience as our teams work hard to keep people moving safely.” He confirmed that crews equipped with chainsaws are actively removing debris to minimize disruption.
The Met Office forecast highlights Storm Austen as part of a pattern of wetter and windier autumn weather linked to a developing El Nino phenomenon in the Pacific. This large-scale weather effect is expected
to contribute to further Atlantic weather systems bringing heavy rain and strong winds during the season.
