Rail passengers warned as heavy rainfall due

Rail passengers have been warned to check for delays or changes to their journeys as heavy rainfall is due in Cumbria overnight.

Network Rail said it was monitoring forecasts of heavy rain expected over the county, which the Met Office said would continue until about 07:00 BST on Friday.

It comes after a Network Rail representative said he was "really confident" safeguards would protect key rail routes in winter, with North West Rail routes being upgraded ahead of stormy weather patterns caused by the climate phenomenon El Niño.

The company asked people to check their journeys before setting off and to leave extra time for late alterations to services.

A forecast released by the Met Office this autumn stated there were already "signals for increased rainfall and storminess" across the UK, especially into November and December.

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