Ahead of Storm Claudia, both Network Rail and Chiltern have issued advice for travel today and tomorrow.

Heavy rainfall is expected, and while preparations are in place, disruptions are expected.

Much of the UK has a yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office, with some parts of the Midlands having an amber warning and a yellow warning for wind in the North West.

Newbury, Gloucestershire, and towards Oxford are all included in this amber warning.

Some areas could see around a month’s worth of rain within 24 hours, so engineers are working as hard as possible to keep trains running by ensuring culverts are cleared, problem sites are checked, and pumps are prepared.

River levels and drainage channels are being closely monitored in partnership with the Environment Agency, helping engineers to respond to incidents as soon as possible.

Some areas have already been disrupted due to flooding yesterday, including Devon and Cumbria, with further disruptions anticipated.

Chiltern has also reported a significantly reduced service, which is down 50% for today. Trains are expected to be much busier, so passengers should plan ahead.

One Chiltern service per hour will operate in each direction between:

• Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone
• London Marylebone and Oxford
• London Marylebone and Aylesbury via High Wycombe
• London Marylebone and Aylesbury via Amersham

Services for Chiltern will not run north of Birmingham Moor Street or on the line to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Chiltern passengers do have the option to use their Friday tickets over the weekend and on Monday instead, or get a refund

Passengers should check before they travel today and throughout the weekend, with journey planning available on the operator’s website, or disruptions can be viewed here.

“We’re doing everything we can to prepare the railway for the arrival of Storm Claudia and will have extra staff at key locations across the network, ready to respond if they’re required.

“I’d urge passengers to check before travelling on Friday and into the weekend, and to take extra care and allow plenty of time to complete their journeys.”

Marcus Jones, Network Rail’s Western route director