The *Independent* reports that major Network Rail engineering on the West Coast Main Line (Milton Keynes–Rugby) and bridge works in Cumbria have closed key stretches until mid-January, forcing business travellers onto the East Coast route. Combined with snow-related speed restrictions, journey times between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow have doubled today.
Air disruption is also acute: KLM cancelled 32 UK-Amsterdam flights, while EasyJet grounded at least 16 sectors. Scottish ferries faced weather-related suspensions, and the M6 and M27 have overnight closures.
![Rail engineering works compound weather chaos as West Coast Main Line shuts]()
For teams whose contingency plans involve routing staff via international gateways—whether diverting through Dublin, Paris or Amsterdam—remember that last-minute visa or transit-document checks can still trip up travellers. VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers rapid online assessments and same-day courier options, streamlining emergency applications so employees don’t lose further time at the border.
Corporates should authorise flexible tickets and consider remote attendance for Monday-morning meetings. Where physical presence is essential, travellers may find Chiltern Railways or East Midlands route availability, but hotel capacity around London King’s Cross is already tightening.
Employers are reminded that rail-replacement bus services are **not** covered by most standard duty-of-care tracking tools; manual check-ins may be required.
Air disruption is also acute: KLM cancelled 32 UK-Amsterdam flights, while EasyJet grounded at least 16 sectors. Scottish ferries faced weather-related suspensions, and the M6 and M27 have overnight closures.
For teams whose contingency plans involve routing staff via international gateways—whether diverting through Dublin, Paris or Amsterdam—remember that last-minute visa or transit-document checks can still trip up travellers. VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers rapid online assessments and same-day courier options, streamlining emergency applications so employees don’t lose further time at the border.
Corporates should authorise flexible tickets and consider remote attendance for Monday-morning meetings. Where physical presence is essential, travellers may find Chiltern Railways or East Midlands route availability, but hotel capacity around London King’s Cross is already tightening.
Employers are reminded that rail-replacement bus services are **not** covered by most standard duty-of-care tracking tools; manual check-ins may be required.
