Storm Goretti - Yellow Weather Warning

Thursday 8 and Friday 9 January

A yellow weather warning has been issued for parts of Greater Manchester including Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside & Stockport, with Storm Goretti forecast to bring disruptive snow. The warning is in place from 5pm on Thursday to midday on Friday [8 - 9 Jan], and may cause some disruption.

In addition, an amber weather warning is in place in other parts of England, including Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Due to the expected impact of the storm, train services to Sheffield/Glossop/Buxton will be suspended from 6pm on Thursday evening (see Rail section below for more info).

Several bus services in Hadfield, Greenfield and Tamedside are currently being diverted due to icy conditions caused by snow [Friday 9 Jan]. Please visit our travel alerts hub for the latest information.

Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.

This webpage will be updated regularly, please check before you travel and take extra care when making your journey.

In addition to the yellow weather warning in place for parts of Greater Manchester, an amber weather warning for snow will apply to other parts of England, including Yorkshire and Derbyshire, covering key rail routes to/from Manchester.

Due to the expected impacts of storm Goretti, no trains will operate on the following routes from 6pm on Thursday evening:

New Mills Central - Sheffield (no trains between Manchester & Sheffield)
Hazel Grove - Buxton
Guide Bridge - Glossop/Hadfield

Lines are due to open later today [9 Jan] for passengers with first trains planned from:

Manchester - Glossop/Hadfield - from 11:33am
Manchester - Buxton - from 2pm
Manchester - Sheffield - from 17:00

Ticket acceptance will be in place on all Bee Network services until end of service tonight.

For passengers travelling to Hadfield, the closest the 237 service can get to Hadfield Station is Hollingworth due to roadworks taking place in Tintwistle.

Elsewhere on the network, Network Rail will be working hard to keep customers moving during the storm, but services may experience short notice disruption due to fallen trees and infrastructure damage.

If you do travel by train on Thursday/Friday, please allow more time for travel and check the status of your journey by visiting the National Rail website.

Tram services can be disrupted and experience delays.

Interchanges, platforms and crossings are also being treated with grit and anti-icing measures to keep them safe for use.

We advise passengers to please plan before making your journey and to check our travel alerts to keep up to date with the latest travel information.

Bus services could be delayed due to severe weather conditions.

If you need to travel during peak hours, please plan your journey before you travel and allow more time for your journey.

As well as using journey planners, in severe weather, we advise customers to check our travel alerts hub regularly. This will be where the latest information on disruptions will be published, should they occur.

Driving in snow and ice

Adjust your driving according to the conditions and plan journeys by checking the latest weather forecast.
Look for clues on road conditions such as ice on the pavement or on car windscreens before starting journeys by road and take extra care.

Change route if possible for better conditions

Stick to the main roads where you can. People should drive with care and respect the road conditions, wherever they drive. If you cannot avoid driving on a minor road, we urge you to take extra care.
Only travel if really necessary. Snow ploughs are unable to get through if the road or motorway is full of stationary traffic, so people should not make journeys unless completely necessary to give the National Highways and local authorities the space they need.
Avoid steep hills and exposed roads, hills and exposed areas are likely to present more challenging driving conditions in snow and ice.

Make necessary preparations before you set off

Clear your windscreen of snow, frost or condensation. The Highway Code states drivers must be able to see out of every glass panel in their vehicle.
Clear any snow off the roof of your vehicle before driving away, otherwise snow may fall on the windscreen hampering vision.
Make sure you carry an emergency travel kit and necessary provisions, in case your journey is delayed or extended - spare blankets, water, food, and any medicines you require.

Useful tips for driving in snow

Drive to the conditions of the road - accelerate gently, using low revs. Drivers may need to take off in second gear to avoid skidding.
Drivers may need 10 times the normal gap between your car and the car in front.
Drivers should try not to brake suddenly - it may lock up the wheels and and could cause them to skid further.
Be extra cautious at road junctions where road markings may not be visible.