Major train station closes as Storm Babet brings 'significant risk to life'

Major train station closes as Storm Babet bring 'significant risk to life'

GETTY
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 21/10/2023

- 14:40

Updated: 21/10/2023

- 19:55

More than 500 flood alerts have been issued across Great Britain

One of Britain's busies train stations was forced to close as Storm Babet brought a "significant risk to life" and caused "severe" travel disruption on Saturday.

King's Cross station in London shut in the middle of the afternoon due to extreme overcrowding.


A Network Rail spokesperson said: "King's Cross station has crowd control measures in place this afternoon while LNER services to the North East are severely disrupted."

There is still "severe disruption" in the worst-hit areas of the country, including Scotland and the North East of England.

WATCH NOW: GB News' weather update for Saturday

A social media post added: "London Kings Cross has become too crowded to be safe for all passengers.

"The Police have taken the decision to close the station until the passenger flow is more manageable.

"Where possible, please use a different London terminal station."

They later confirmed the station had re-opened, but with limited services.

A statement added: "Temporary crowd control measures have been removed but some train operators are advising passengers to not travel today.

"Please continue to check National Rail Enquiries or with train operators."

The Met Office has issued several weather warnings in Scotland

The Met Office has issued several weather warnings in Scotland

MET OFFICE

Travellers hoping to venture up to Edinburgh were particularly impacted by the conditions.

Trains bound for the Scottish capital have been cancelled, leading to disruption for many venturing north for the weekend.

More than 500 flood alerts and warnings have been issued across Great Britain, with residents in parts of Scotland receiving evacuation orders.

A total of 470 severe flood warnings, flood warnings and flood alerts have been issued in England, the Environment Agency has said.

Passengers look at the departure board at Kings Cross station in London

Passengers look at the departure board at Kings Cross station in London

PA

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency put out an additional 31 and Natural Resources Wales issued a further 22.

The alerts come as the Met Office issues four weather warnings in Scotland.

A red rain warning was imposed, along with two amber alerts and one yellow warning.

The Met Office is suggesting “unsettled” conditions will remain in place for the remainder of October.

Members of the emergency services help local residents to safety in Brechin, Scotland

Members of the emergency services help local residents to safety in Brechin, Scotland

PA

The UK’s national weather service’s forecast from October 25 to November 3 warned: “The end of next week is likely to remain unsettled with more rain in many areas, as well as the risk of strong winds.

“The heaviest rain is perhaps more likely across southern areas by this time, with gales possible through the English Channel, and temperatures will be around normal for the time of year.

“Most likely remaining unsettled with spells of wet and windy weather coming in from the southwest for the remainder of the period.

“However, occasional easterly flow across northern areas may bring further heavy rainfall over some hills in the northeast, and elsewhere showers are possible almost anywhere.

“Temperatures probably remaining around average, with a gradual fall as the season progresses.”

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