Weather warnings are in place across the country.
Weather warnings that have led New Year’s Eve celebrations to be cancelled are likely to continue into the first day of 2025.
As Edinburgh’s outdoor Hogmanay events were scrapped and London’s City Hall said it was “monitoring the weather” ahead of its own displays, a Met Office amber “danger-to-life” warning for heavy rain remains in Scotland.
There are also yellow warnings in force in nearly every part of the UK for strong wind, heavy rain or thick snow.
Weather warnings and what to expect on roads
In Scotland, the rare “danger to life” caution applies to pockets of the nation, but as of Tuesday afternoon there are 41 flood warnings and 10 flood alerts in place. You can check if your area is affected on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s website.
Traffic Scotland says the A9 at Tomich is closed in both directions due to flooding, with drivers diverted through Invergordon.
The A832 from Fortrose to Avoch, Black Isle remains closed following a landslide on Tuesday morning, and Scottish police say not only is the road likely to remain closed for some time, but that motorists should plan ahead and follow diversions too.
In England, there are 19 flood alerts in place – check your area here.
In Wales, there are currently two flood alerts in place – check them here – and, in Northern Ireland, there is no dedicated flood tracking system in place, but you can report an incident by calling 0300 2000 100.
Across the country on New Year’s Eve, the Met Office has warned travellers to expect disruption to all types of transport.
There’s a yellow warning for wind until 11pm on the 31st across parts of northern England, and a day-long yellow warning for rain will come into force across much of Wales and north-west England from 6pm on Tuesday.
On New Year’s Day, there are forecasts of winds up to 60 mph across much of England and Wales, with the Met Office predicting gusts of up to 75 mph around hilly areas and the coast.
What to know about rail travel
Train operator ScotRail has confirmed its services are disrupted by speed restrictions on many routes due to “very heavy rainfall”.
Network Rail has closed the Highland Main Line at Kingussie as well as the line north of Inverness, between Muir of Ord and Dingwall.
In the capital, the UK’s busiest station, London Liverpool Street, will remain closed due to Network Rail’s ongoing engineering work. It will reopen on 2 January, but check before you travel.
(Photo by Ken Jack/Getty Images)
Rail strikes
As well as disruption caused by bad weather and engineering works, strikes will affect travel in some parts of the country.
Avanti West Coast is running a “significantly reduced” service on New Year’s Eve and Thursday, 2 January due to a walkout by RMT union members.
The company is warning that the few trains that are running will be exceptionally busy and it is advising passengers not to travel while the strike is ongoing.
On 31 December, it’s running one train per hour between Euston and stations in Birmingham, Manchester and Preston, with a limited service to Glasgow.
It’s also running one train every other hour between Liverpool and Crewe, but North Wales, Blackpool and Edinburgh will have no Avanti West Coast services at all.
For full details of the strike, check Avanti’s website.
Flights and airports
While there is no weather-related disruption reported at UK airports since fog has lifted, that could change at short notice. The predicted high winds could affect flight schedules.
Check your airline’s website and social media channels, and the website of the airport you’re flying from, for the latest information.
Your consumer rights
Rail travel
National Rail has Delay Repay, a nationwide scheme that is a straightforward way to get compensation for delayed train journeys – it typically applies to delays of 15 minutes or more.
If you are delayed for any reason when you travel on a participating National Rail service, you can receive a specific amount back, calculated against either the normal timetable, or an amended timetable that is published in advance, such as during planned engineering works.
You can claim through your train company’s website if you are delayed.
Flights
Under UK law, airlines must provide you with care and assistance while your flight is significantly delayed, if it is: departing from an airport in the UK on any airline; arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline; or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.
You may also be due compensation, depending on the length of the delay. However, compensation may not apply if the disruption is due to bad weather.
“Airlines can avoid paying compensation if a flight is disrupted due to ‘extraordinary circumstances’,” Coby Benson, flight delay compensation solicitor at Bott and Co, previously told The i Paper.
“The courts have previously said that in order for bad weather to be classed as extraordinary it must be ‘freakish’ or ‘wholly exceptional’.”
That means that typical winter weather, like flooding and high winds, are considered normal.
(Photo: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“However, if the flight wasn’t disrupted due to the weather itself, but because of a decision by Air Traffic Control then the courts will say that is extraordinary and the airline does not have to pay compensation,” Benson added.
“Regardless of the reason for a cancellation, a passenger is always entitled to a full refund or free replacement flight [for a cancelled or severely delayed flight] on a date and time convenient for them.”
Passengers have the right to be rebooked on another flight, even if it’s a trip with a rival carrier.
If a passenger’s flight is diverted, the airline must get them to their original destination.
If you opt for a refund, rather than accepting alternative transportation, you’ll waive your other rights.
Airlines are permitted to offer you a refund in vouchers, rather than cash, but passengers are allowed to insist on a monetary refund.