'Do not travel' warning issued for Scotland after tree falls on West Coast Mainline

A rail operator has urged customers “not to travel” to and from Scotland after a tree fell on the line in Dumfries and Galloway

TransPennine Express said a tree fell near Beattock in the early hours of Monday, completely blocking the line between Carlisle, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

As a result, trains running to and from the north west of England will start and terminate at Carlisle.

Avanti West Coast also urged customers not to travel due to damage to overhead wires from the fallen tree between Lockerbie and Carlisle.

The rail operator’s latest update at 8.45am confirmed that all lines were still blocked.

Andy McClements, customer experience and transformation director, said: “It’s rare that we advise customers not to travel, but it is likely to take much of today to clear the tree from the lines and we cannot guarantee travel between Carlisle and either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

“We will have additional members of staff out and about on the route today to help our customers, and we are allowing customers with tickets to travel tomorrow to help get them where they need to be.”

Customers who have already bought tickets for travel on Monday can use those tickets on Tuesday services.

Alternatively, if customers are unable to travel, they can apply for refunds from the points of purchase.

Anyone choosing to travel today (Monday), can use their ticket on the following services:

Between Edinburgh and Manchester in both directions on the East Coast Mainline (via York) on TransPennine Express services.
Between Edinburgh and York in both directions on any LNER or CrossCountry service.
Between Edinburgh and Newcastle in both directions on LUMO services.
Between Carlisle and Newcastle, and Manchester Airport and Lancaster in both directions on Northern services.
Between Carlisle and Preston in both directions on Avanti West Coast services (And between Scotland and Preston in both directions once the line reopens)
Between Glasgow stations and Edinburgh in both directions on Scotrail services.