Storm Boelo Halts Stansted Express: Flight and Rail Disruption Spreads
Storm Boelo has forced the closure of rail lines to Stansted Airport and cancelled flights across the UK and Ireland this weekend.
By The Aviation Hub
5 min read
Storm Boelo has brought widespread travel chaos across the UK and Ireland, halting Stansted Express services after a fallen tree blocked tracks and damaged overhead electric wires near Stansted Airport (STN).
The disruption comes as Storm Boelo, the second named storm of the season, batters Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England most severely, while southern transport networks have not been spared. Passengers flying through STN, Dublin (DUB) and Belfast City (BHD) are among those most affected.
What Happened at Stansted
The Evening Standard reports that a fallen tree blocked railway tracks and damaged overhead electric wires near Stansted Airport, forcing Greater Anglia to close the line between Bishops Stortford and the airport. Stansted Express services between London Liverpool Street and the airport were suspended as a result, along with trains running to Cambridge North.
Passengers have been warned not to travel on the route for the rest of the day. Anyone with onward flights from STN should allow significantly more time and check their operator's status before setting out.
Flights Cancelled at Dublin and Belfast
Storm Boelo has also disrupted flights across Ireland. The Evening Standard reports that as of 4pm on Saturday, nine outbound and ten inbound flights had been cancelled at Dublin Airport because of weather conditions. Six inbound flights performed go-arounds, with five landing on the second attempt and one diverting to another airport before returning.
A Dublin Airport spokesman warned that winds were forecast to remain strong for the rest of the day, which could lead to further disruption. Meanwhile, the BBC reports that a number of flights to and from Belfast City Airport have also been cancelled. Several Stena Line ferry sailings between Belfast and Cairnryan, and between Dublin and Holyhead, were cancelled on Saturday.
For a full picture of which airlines operate through the airports affected, the Airline Search tool can help you identify your carrier's contact details and schedule information.
Rail Disruption Across Britain
The impact on rail services extends well beyond Stansted. The Evening Standard reports the following operator positions on Saturday:
Great Western Railway is running replacement coach services between Okehampton and Exeter St Davids, Barnstaple and Exeter St Davids, and between Par and Newquay, with a warning that road conditions could cause delays. Long-distance services to Devon and Cornwall are operating only between Reading and Plymouth.
TransPennine Express has urged customers to travel only if their journey is essential on both Saturday and Sunday, with a reduced timetable planned for Sunday. ScotRail has warned of cancellations across its entire network from 9pm on Saturday, with passengers able to use that day's tickets on Sunday or Monday instead.
LNER said services are running normally on Saturday and will continue as scheduled between London King's Cross and Doncaster or Leeds on Sunday, though routes further north are expected to face disruption. Avanti West Coast said no timetable changes are planned for Saturday but has advised customers to avoid journeys north of Preston on Sunday.
How Strong Are Storm Boelo's Winds?
The Met Office, as cited by the Evening Standard, has recorded maximum gusts of 75mph at South Uist Range in the Western Isles and 71mph in Inverbervie, Aberdeenshire. Gusts of more than 70mph (113kph) have been recorded on the east coast of Northern Ireland, according to the BBC, with 80mph or more forecast in exposed areas under an amber warning active until 10:00 GMT on Sunday.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said amber warnings are in place across mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, "where gusts of 60-70mph are expected widely, with the potential for 80mph in exposed coastal locations." He added that strong winds will affect other parts of the UK, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in places.
Power Cuts and Flood Alerts
The Evening Standard reports that National Grid has restored supplies to 117,320 properties, although around 7,000 customers remain without electricity. More than 6,400 of those still awaiting reconnection are in the South West.
National Grid chief operating officer Amy Webb said: "We have teams on the ground assessing damage, making repairs and restoring supplies, and we'll keep going until everyone is reconnected."
The Evening Standard also reports that the Environment Agency has issued 42 flood alerts across England, with six flood warnings in place at New Brighton in Merseyside, along the Cumbrian coastline and at Lee's Bridge in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Events Cancelled Across the UK
The storm has forced a wide range of public events to be cancelled or postponed. According to the Evening Standard, London's annual Diwali on the Square celebrations on Sunday were cancelled on the recommendation of independent health and safety experts. Visit Liverpool cancelled its River of Light illuminated arts event in the interests of safety, and Edinburgh Castle along with the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire also announced closures for Sunday.
The BBC reports that Halloween fireworks displays in Ballymoney and Cookstown, Northern Ireland, were cancelled, as were several Parkrun events. The Foyle Bridge in Londonderry was closed in both directions, and a number of sporting fixtures including the Women's Challenge Cup final at Windsor Park and the Sunflower Trophy motorcycle race at Bishopscourt were postponed or cancelled.
The Bottom Line
Storm Boelo is causing serious disruption to aviation and surface transport across the UK and Ireland, with the Stansted Express suspended, flights cancelled at Dublin and Belfast City, and rail operators warning of reduced or essential-only travel into Sunday. The Met Office has warned that the strongest winds are expected from Saturday evening extending eastwards through Sunday, and that further disruption remains possible.
Passengers at Stansted and other affected airports should check their airline and rail operator before travelling. Track any aviation emergencies or diversions arising from the storm through our Squawk 7700 hub, which carries the live emergency board and incident archive. We will update our coverage if any airline or relevant authority releases further information on flight operations affected by Storm Boelo.
Continue to follow The Aviation Hub for more analysis and insight.
Advertise with us Your brand, in front of an aviation audience Home page and in-article placements, sold directly, one advertiser per slot. From £250 a year. See the rates
