PUBLIC transport passengers are advised to check before they travel as strong winds and rain are expected to hit the borough in Storm Babet today.

The Met Office has published a “danger to life” yellow weather warning for north west England, with heavy and persistent rain downpours expected.

This will come into effect from midnight tomorrow (Friday, October 20) and will remain in force until 6am on Saturday (October 21). 

St Helens Star: A yellow weather warning has been given for much of the North WestA yellow weather warning has been given for much of the North West (Image: Met Office)

Following the weather warning, Network Rail have asked residents to check and take care before they travel on trains over the next two days.

The railway operator warns that disruption is possible due to the storm, and advised residents living by the railway to tether down loose garden items at risk of blowing onto tracks 

Extreme weather action teams are on standby to tackle any problems caused by the stormy weather at key locations on the West Coast main line, North West and Cumbrian rail routes over the coming days.

This includes monitoring areas which could see flash flooding of tracks, or trees being blown onto the network causing disruption.

There were two instances of trees falling onto the overhead wires which power trains yesterday (Wednesday 18 October) in Prestbury in Cheshire and Broadbottom in Tameside.

With the storm set to intensify, people living by the railway are also being advised to tether down any loose items in their gardens like furniture, fencing and trampolines which can be blown onto tracks by gale-force winds.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “While our extreme weather action teams have been preparing for this bad weather for several days, it’s really difficult to know exactly when and where it will strike, which is why we're asking people to check before they travel.

“The best way to do that is to check National Rail Enquiries before you set out on your journey. Also if you live by the railway please tie down any loose garden items - it’s amazing what can be carried by a strong gust of wind and end up on the tracks - causing unnecessary delays for passengers and freight.”

People planning journeys over the next two days should check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.