Surrey mum stranded at Southampton after rail cancellations

Naomi Hawkins was forced to get a taxi from Southampton back home to Weybridge in Surrey last night after her 5.30pm train was cancelled.

The lawyer was one among many affected by the sudden cancellations of services after South Western Railway urged passengers not to travel by train following the effects of Storm Henk on its network.

Customers were authorised to book taxis and to contact the operator’s customer service team to be reimbursed.

Services between Southampton and London Waterloo were among those affected.

Queues outside Southampton Central (Image: Newsquest)READ MORE: Chaos at Southampton Central as SWR tells people 'do not travel'

After a long day at work, the lawyer was looking to get back to home to her children, nine and 13, in Surrey.

Speaking to the Echo, the 46-year-old said: “I was about the leave at 5.15pm and then checked my phone to see that my train which was going to go at 5.30pm had been cancelled.

“There was an hourly service which then I saw had also been cancelled which was annoying.

“I’m trying to get home to my children who are being looked after by someone. So, I’m keen to be home.”

She added: “It has been a bit of a nightmare”.

She was among the dozens of passengers that were left waiting outside the city’s train station waiting for a taxi to pick them up.

Queues outside Southampton Central (Image: Newsquest)

Another commuter, Daniel Fantham, a barrister clerk who works in the city was trying to get home in Southsea.

The 54-year-old said: “I was just walking to the station and realised that the trains weren’t running.

“It’s quite a lot of disruption as I have a personal appointment this evening, so I already had to say I’m not going to make it for dinner.

“It’s incredible that this country can’t handle a bit of bad weather.

“You go to any other countries like Switzerland and even if it’s snowing the trains continue but for some reason when we have a bit of wind it just grinds everything to a halt.”

A message on the South Western Website said: "Due to high winds leading to multiple trees and other obstructions blocking the railway across the network, please do not attempt to travel until further notice.

It added, "If you are currently travelling with us, you can arrange your own taxis to complete your journey and claim this back from our Customer Services Team."