As flood warnings from the Environment Agency and Met Office are in place, train lines have ground to a halt north of Newcastle due to flooding on the tracks. 

CrossCountry Trains said heavy flooding was blocking lines between Edinburgh Waverley and Newcastle with industrial action by train drivers adding to the disruption.

This comes as the Environment Agency has issued more than 60 flood warnings across England as heavy rain replaced snow as the nation’s major weather concern.

At 6am on Tuesday, 69 flood warnings – where flooding is expected – were in place, mainly in Dorset, Somerset and across the Midlands.

There were a further 182 flood alerts, where flooding is considered possible.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for the North East coast of England until 9am on Tuesday with a further warning for ice across the extreme north of Scotland – where temperatures dipped as low as minus 10C overnight – until 11am.

East Coast Mainline operator LNER said: "Due to heaving flooding on the railway, all lines are currently closed between Newcastle and Berwick Upon Tweed. 

"We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and are working with our partners at Network Rail to resolve the issue. 

"Due to the severity of this disruption and the limited alternative routes, we're advising customers not to travel north of Newcastle in either direction. 

"Tickets for travel on Tuesday, December 5 will be valid for use on Wednesday, December 6. Tickets do not need to be amended or altered, but we do advise making a new seat reservation if you are travelling tomorrow. 

"Customers who do not travel at all and have tickets which are unused are entitled to a full refund from their original point of purchase. 

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"You can use your ticket today on the following train operating companies at no extra cost. 

  • Avanti West Coast between London Euston and Edinburgh in both directions.
  • Northern between Carlisle and Newcastle, and between Morpeth and Carlisle, in both directions, 
  • TransPennine Express via any route, including services between Edinburgh and Manchester on the West Coast Mainline.

"Please be aware other operators' services are also likely to be busy and due to industrial action on some routes, services are subject to short notice cancellation."