Severe weather causes travel chaos as trains are cancelled and roads closed

Train passengers and drivers should expect disrupted travel throughout the weekend due to severe weather across the country.

South West Trains, ScotRail and Northern Rail have all warned that their services may be affected by Storm Gertrude.

On the roads, the AA has reported traffic problems due to flooding in Wales and Cumbria and warnings of strong winds across Scotland where the Forth Road Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles.

In the Peak District a road through the National Park, the B6521, has been closed due to a landslide.

Trains between Carlisle and Leeds suffered delays of up to half an hour on Friday evening and the services between Inverness and Perth were cancelled.

Similar delays are expected throughout the weekend as the bad weather continues.

A South West Trains severe weather warning said: "We could see gusts of wind up to 40- 50mph and 50 mph in coastal regions combined with heavy rain.

"These conditions can present risks to the railway that vary from localised flooding, falling trees and debris blown onto the line."

Maintenance teams from the train line will be heading to high-risk sites to ensure falling trees and flooding disrupt trains as little as possible and have already visited Brockenhurst and Bournemouth.

All passengers are advised to check their route before they travel.