Storm Austen to hit Devon and Cornwall rail services on Friday

Rail passengers across Devon and Cornwall are being urged to check their journeys on Friday 23 October as Storm Austen’s strong winds trigger speed restrictions, reduced timetables and targeted cancellations across key routes in the far South West.

Amber wind warnings and high gusts forecast for the South West

Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/27 season, is forecast to bring a spell of very strong winds and heavy rain to southern parts of the United Kingdom from late Thursday 22 October into Friday 23 October. The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning covering all of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of west Devon during Friday morning, alongside a wider yellow warning for strong winds extending across more of southern Britain.

Forecast guidance indicates that gusts could exceed 80 mph along exposed Atlantic coasts in Cornwall, with inland areas of Cornwall and Devon widely seeing 50 to 60 mph gusts. Publicly available information from the Met Office notes that such conditions are likely to cause fallen trees, flying debris and possible damage to buildings, as well as interruptions to power supplies and transport networks.

The amber warning for Cornwall and west Devon is currently in force from 03:00 until 10:00 on Friday 23 October, coinciding with the morning rush hour. Local authorities in Devon and Cornwall are also highlighting the risk of difficult driving conditions and potential road closures from fallen trees and surface water, adding further pressure to travellers attempting to connect with rail services.

Speed restrictions and fewer trains on Devon and Cornwall routes

Great Western Railway and Network Rail have confirmed through public statements that lower speed limits will be introduced across multiple Devon and Cornwall routes from the start of service on Friday until 13:00. These restrictions are designed to reduce the risk to trains from debris on the line and to give drivers more time to react if trees or other objects are blown onto the track.

According to information published by the operators, long distance GWR services from London Paddington will run only as far as Plymouth on Friday while the storm is impacting the far western end of the network. Passengers travelling to or from Cornwall will need to use local stopping services that will operate as a shuttle between Plymouth and Penzance, subject to weather related checks and potential short notice alterations.

Rail industry notices indicate that the combination of speed restrictions and a revised timetable means fewer trains overall in Devon and Cornwall, particularly during the first half of the day. Some services have been preemptively cancelled to create additional recovery time in the timetable, helping to prevent minor delays from escalating into wider disruption as Storm Austen moves through.

Impact on cross country and regional links

Information shared by CrossCountry and industry publications shows that CrossCountry trains will not operate west of Plymouth on Friday. This will affect through journeys from the Midlands and the North of England that would normally continue across Devon into Cornwall, requiring passengers to change at Plymouth for GWR services if they still choose to travel.

The decision to suspend CrossCountry services beyond Plymouth is in line with broader risk management measures for Storm Austen, with operators prioritising routes where alternative options exist and reducing movements on the most exposed sections of track. The line west of Plymouth towards Penzance includes coastal and riverside stretches that are vulnerable in high winds, especially when combined with heavy rain and tidal conditions.

Regional routes within Devon, including lines from Exeter to Barnstaple and other local corridors, are also expected to operate under reduced speeds on Friday morning. While operators have not listed every individual train affected, journey planners and live departure boards are being updated to reflect cancellations, retimed services and extended journey times as plans are refined before the storm arrives.

What rail passengers in Devon and Cornwall should expect on Friday

Travellers heading to, from or within Devon and Cornwall on Friday morning should be prepared for longer journey times and the possibility of short notice disruption as conditions evolve. Publicly available guidance from rail operators advises passengers to check their journey before setting out on Friday, use real time journey planners on the day, and allow extra time to make connections.

Those who must travel early on Friday are being advised in industry updates to expect busy trains on the services that do operate, as reduced timetables concentrate demand into fewer departures. Where possible, passengers with flexible plans may wish to travel later in the day, once the strongest winds associated with Storm Austen have eased and speed restrictions are reviewed.

Network Rail has indicated through public briefings that engineering and response teams will be deployed across the South West to deal with fallen trees, branches and other debris as quickly as possible. However, strong and gusty winds can cause multiple incidents along a route in a short space of time, so lines that initially reopen may need to be checked again if further debris is reported.

Advice for planning trips around Storm Austen

For leisure travellers heading to the region, publicly available advice from local councils and transport providers suggests reviewing accommodation check in times and event bookings in case arrival is delayed. Visitors planning coastal walks or sea watching are being reminded by safety campaigns that high winds and large waves can create hazardous conditions near cliffs, harbours and sea walls, particularly during an amber wind warning period.

Commuters and business travellers may want to consider remote working or alternative arrangements on Friday morning where this is an option, especially for journeys that rely on multiple train connections across Devon and Cornwall. With roads also expected to be affected by fallen trees and poor visibility in heavy showers, driving to avoid the railway is not guaranteed to provide a quicker or safer alternative during the peak of the storm.

As with previous severe storms that have affected rail links in the far South West, the overall scale of disruption from Storm Austen will depend on the exact track and intensity of the low pressure system as it moves across the region. Forecasts and operator plans are being updated as new data becomes available, and passengers are being encouraged in public messaging to check for changes again on Thursday evening and on the morning of travel.