New Year's Eve revellers have been told they must travel today or risk missing their parties. 

Rail network Northern, who operate at more than 450 stations across the country, have told customers with rail tickets for December 31 they can use the ticket from today as they warn that anyone using the service the day after should 'expect disruption'.

They say they are running a reduced service across the North West as traincrews are unavailable - with some services finishing earlier than usual and others not running at all.

And Cross Country, who call at 120 stations in England and Scotland, have warned punters that their services may be 'subject to last-minute cancellations' as they are 'extremely busy' on New Years Eve.

They added that their services will finish earlier than usual and their timetables may be changed at late notice - so passengers must allow extra time for their journey. 

But the Conservative mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street has slammed the 'self-inflicted' cancellations as he urges rail firms to 'come clean' about what is going to happen well in advance of the date.




Passengers wait for information at London Euston station today amid major rail chaos





Chaotic scenes at London Euston once again today as passengers wait for travel updates

 'Come clean now, that's what people need. I would prefer to know well in advance what is happening so it can be communicated to passengers amd they can make their plans. The worst possible thing is a last-minute change, particularly late trains being cancelled,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

Chiltern Railways has blamed engineering works as it told customers its service between Amersham and Aylesbury would be affected.

Travellers will instead have to travel by bus from Beaconsfield, which will connect trains to and from London Marylebone. 

Tricia Williams, the CEO of Northern, said: 'Unfortunately, customers travelling over the new year period should expect disruption. This is due to limited train crew availability in some areas and planned engineering works. We strongly advise customers to 'check before you travel' on these days.'

Passengers again faced major rail disruption today as all services were cancelled at both London Paddington and Euston stations after two people were hit by trains.

Avanti West Coast travellers were affected by three separate incidents as a person was struck by a train at Harrow in London; a tree fell on overhead wires between Rugby and Lichfield; and heavy rain caused delays between Lockerbie and Carstairs.

Former Conservative MP Edwina Currie was among those affected by the disruption, tweeting a picture of a cracked window from her seat on an Avanti West Coast train. She wrote: 'Oh my... train from Manchester to London, just outside Euston (and very late), just been hit by something that's smashed a window. So now we're parked up.'

The incident also impacted London Northwestern Railway services between Euston and Birmingham New Street, London Overground services between Euston and Watford Junction and Southern services between Clapham Junction and Watford.

At the other end of the West Coast Main Line, huge queues formed outside Glasgow Central in the rain as passengers tried to get on London-bound trains following major disruption yesterday that led to a 'do not travel' warning north of Preston.




Former Conservative MP Edwina Currie among those stuck on a train outside Euston today





Avanti West Coast travellers are affected by three separate incidents at London Euston today





Rail passengers queue to get inside Glasgow Central station today to get a London-bound train





Passengers wait for information at London Paddington today while all services are suspended





A departure board at Stirling station in Scotland this morning amid major disruption to trains





Rail passengers queue inside Glasgow Central station China World News Today for a London-bound train







Separately, all Great Western Railway services at London Paddington were axed this morning after a person was hit by a train near Slough, which also resulted in the Elizabeth line having no service between Hayes and Harlington and Reading. 

LNER said there would be no trains between Edinburgh and Aberdeen or Inverness for the rest of today due to the conditions, with customers told to delay travelling until tomorrow. ScotRail also had no trains on the Aberdeen route due to a landslip.