North East and Cumbria braces for gale force winds

Severe gale force winds are forecast to hit the north-east of England and Cumbria on Friday.

Storm Éowyn is expected to cause widespread travel disruption and power cuts, with a warning issued for a potential danger to life as gusts of up to 80mph (129km/h) are set to batter parts of the region.

Northern and Avanti West Coast said all trains in Cumbria had been cancelled on Friday, while no trains would operate north of Newcastle in either direction from 11:00 GMT, Network Rail said.

An amber weather warning has been issued for wind from 06:00 to 21:00, with some snow expected for Pennine and Border areas.

The storm has also forced dozens of schools in Northumberland and Cumbria to close on Friday.

• Rare red weather warning as Storm Éowyn poses danger to life

• Most trains operating through the region have been cancelled on Friday:

• Northern said there would be no trains or replacement bus services on all Cumbrian lines. A number of its other services would be disrupted throughout the day, the operator warned.
• LNER said services north of York would also be subject to short-notice cancellation and significant delays, as it advised people not to travel.
• Avanti West Coast will not run trains north of Preston.
• Transpennine Express urged people not to travel between York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
• Lumo said it expected services to be heavily disrupted due to the storm, also advising people not to travel.
• Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus said the cross-Tyne Shields Ferry would be suspended all day, with a half-hourly replacement bus service running between North and South Shields.
• Teesside Airport and Newcastle Airport said they were preparing for high winds and urged passengers to check their websites for travel updates.

BBC Look North's weather presenter Paul Mooney said the main risk of damage and disruption was due to the strength of the wind.

"Gusts are widely expected in excess of 60mph (97km/h), with more than 80mph (129km/h) likely over exposed hills and along the Cumbria coast, where large waves will be an added hazard," he said.

"Winds of this strength will cause disruption on road, rail and air travel networks, as well as damage to trees and some buildings, with power cuts a possibility.

"Things look less windy by Saturday."

Sellafield workers have been told to work from home on Friday if they can. It said "as a precautionary measure, all outside working on the site is restricted... unless in the interests of maintaining nuclear safety or security and subject to risk assessments".

Forestry England has advised people to stay away from its sites in Cumbria, including Whinlatter and Grizedale, "due to the risk of falling trees".

Northumberland Country Parks at Bolam Lake, Plessey Woods and Druridge Bay will also be closed.

Network Rail asked people living near the railway to tie down loose garden items such as trampolines or gazebos, which pose a risk of blowing on to the tracks.

National Highways confirmed the A66 would be closed from midnight in both directions for 24 hours.

Durham Police said the A628 would also be closed from midnight due to high winds.

Beamish Museum in County Durham said it would be closed all day.

Met Office warnings could still be adjusted and possibly upgraded ahead of Friday.

There is an additional yellow wind warning for the north-east of England and Cumbria from Friday 00:01 to 23:59, and a yellow warning for temporary snow on hills in Pennine and Border areas valid on Friday between 03:00 to 12:00.

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