CALL your boss now. You are most likely going to be late for work as travel services are severely disrupted due to gale-force winds starting to move across England and Wales.
Train companies have cancelled early-morning services, and flights in London have been reduced as authorities predict gusts of up to 130km/h (80mph) hit the South West.
South West Trains have advised people not to travel on Monday with most services not running until at least 8am, allowing for lines to be checked. London Overground and First Capital Connect are unlikely to run a service before 9am. First Great Western and Virgin West Coat main line, and East Coast are all running amended services.
Robin Gisby, network operations managing director for Network Rail, said commuters should expect considerable disruption.
“This will impact up to Birmingham and up to Nottingham and the Midlands. If we get through this in the morning, restore the service during the afternoon and are able to start up a good service on Tuesday morning, in the circumstances I’ll be pretty pleased,” he said.
Prime Minister David Cameron has been talks about plans to protect the public, amid fears of flooding and damage.
In a conference call, joined by staff from organisations including the Met Office and the environment and highways agencies, David Cameron heard the storm could have a “widespread impact”, his spokesman said.
