Great Western Railway is warning customers to expect disruption to the rail network from this evening (Wednesday) as another major storm sweeps through the south.

In anticipation of significant high winds and heavy rain late arriving in Cornwall on Wednesday evening and into Thursday, train services are expected to be affected.

Customers are advised not to travel in Cornwall from Wednesday evening until midday on Thursday due to Storm Ciaran, with the Met Office issuing an amber warning for the Duchy and the south west. 

Trains and bus replacement services that are being provided for planned engineering work will be cancelled between St Austell and Penzance, St Erth and St Ives.

To help people make their journey, those with tickets for this evening will be able to travel earlier today. 

On Thursday GWR says it will operate "as many trains on as many routes as is safe to do so".

However it warned that the potential for flooding and fallen trees on the railway will mean some routes are likely to close, causing short notice cancellations and alterations interrupting and delaying journeys.

To help customers make their journey, those with tickets for travel tomorrow (Thursday, November 2) will be able to travel earlier, today (Wednesday) or later on Friday (November 3). 

The storm will also affect the road network, with very poor road conditions and possible closures impacting provision of rail replacement transport.

Disruption is likely to continue into Friday morning as Network Rail works to check and clear debris and fallen trees over 1,000 miles of track, and GWR works to reinstate its timetabled train services.

READ MORE: Storm Ciarán to bring very strong, damaging winds and larges waves says Met Office

Those travelling are also being reminded of engineering work taking place between St Austell and Penzance (including the branch line to Falmouth Docks) and road conditions may lead to the suspension of replacement road services.

What’s the travel advice?

Wednesday, November 1

High winds are expected to hit the south west coast from 9pm today. Customers are advised to travel earlier where possible.

GWR said earlier that no trains or replacement bus services would operate west of St Austell towards Penzance from approximately 8pm until midday tomorrow (Thursday). However, it has confirmed this evening that no further buses will now run this evening, due to worsening conditions in the south west. 

Customers are advised not to travel in this area.

Thursday, November 2

Subject to localised flooding and fallen trees, services across some parts of the network could be cancelled or altered at short-notice; trains may be diverted with journey times likely to be significantly longer.

Customers are advised to check before they travel.

Friday, November 3

Some disruption is likely to continue on Friday morning as Network Rail work to clear any debris and GWR works toward reinstating services. Check before you travel.

Those who choose not to travel can claim a full refund or amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more.