Train passengers across the North East who are planning to travel north have been left stranded after flooding on the railway tracks has closed the route. 

Winds and rain brought by Storm Gerrit hit the region today (Wednesday, December 27), leaving public transport, roads and other travel routes partly blocked or completely blocked. 

Travellers have been warned of delays and potentially hazardous conditions on their way home from the Christmas holidays, with the storm forecast to bring wintry weather for some.

Wind warnings are in place for the south of England and across the English Channel coast as well as parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern Isles.

The Northern Echo: Train passengers left stuck Train passengers left stuck (Image: PA)

In the North East, anyone planning to travel north of Newcastle has been stopped from doing so after flooding on the line in parts of Scotland, which means that people have been left stranded in Newcastle or Edinburgh.

A spokesperson for LNER said: "Due to a problem under investigation between #Dunbar and #Edinburgh all lines between these stations are blocked. Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed."

Over the last few hours, several services from London to Edinburgh and Edinburgh to London have been stopped from departing and several other trains have been backed up in Newcastle. 

Meanwhile, the RAC has warned drivers not to underestimate the dangers of high winds.

Spokesperson Simon Williams said: “While high-sided vehicles are most at risk of being blown off course, car drivers can also be affected when they pass lorries on the motorway and are suddenly hit by the full force of the wind on the other side.

“Keeping both hands on the wheel at all times is the best advice, along with watching other vehicles very carefully so as not to get caught out by any unexpected changes in course.

“Getting to motorways and major roads may also be more difficult. Drivers should reduce their speeds and be on the lookout for fallen branches, and even trees, along with other debris.”

The RNLI urged those visiting the coast to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

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Gareth Morrison, RNLI water safety partner, said: “The RNLI advises staying a safe distance away from the water and cliff edges as the conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.”

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said Storm Gerrit was named as a warning to people travelling after the Christmas holidays.

He said: “Due to the extent of the warnings that are being issued, it was deemed that a named storm would be a good idea because it will highlight to the public the risk associated, particularly as today is likely to be quite a busy day on the roads with people travelling back home from Christmas and things like that.”