London’s construction sector is facing a severe logistical bottleneck as Storm Goretti, the first named storm of 2026, triggers widespread infrastructure paralysis across the UK. While the capital has avoided the most extreme structural damage seen in the north and southwest, the multi-hazard event has effectively stalled the movement of labour and materials.
Transport & Commuter Shutdown
The rail network is under significant strain, with operators urging all but essential travel to be postponed.
London Northwestern Railway: Services between Birmingham New Street and London Euston are severely reduced.
Chiltern Railways: A restricted half-timetable is in effect. No services are running north of Birmingham Moor Street or on the line to Stratford-upon-Avon. Major stations like Sudbury Hill Harrow and South Ruislip are also being bypassed.
London Underground: In addition to storm-related delays, ongoing maintenance has made Southgate Station exit-only until mid-March, complicating local site access. Jubilee Line: Severe delays due to an earlier signal failure at Bond Street. Tickets are being accepted on London Buses, Mildmay Line, DLR, Elizabeth Line, C2C, Southeastern and Thameslink services via any reasonable route.
Woolwich Ferry: One Boat Service - The Woolwich Ferry operations will be commencing a One Boat service from 06:00, the service is due to conclude at 22:00 with the last crossing from the North terminal at 22:00 this is due to The Class Survey by Lloyd’s Register.
Aviation: Over 69 flights at Heathrow have been cancelled, impacting nearly 9,000 passengers, including specialist contractors and fly-in personnel.
Roads, Power and Site Logistics
Uncertain road conditions — ranging from heavy rain in London to the worst snowfall in a decade in the Midlands, have halted logistics.
Delivery Disruptions: Frozen surfaces and ungritted local roads in many London boroughs are creating treacherous conditions for heavy plant and material deliveries.
No Replacement Buses: Rail replacement services have been suspended due to unsafe road conditions, leaving many commuters stranded.
Power Outages: While London’s core grid remains largely stable, 71,500 properties nationwide have lost power, primarily in the South West and West Midlands, which may affect supply chain operations outside the capital.
Action for Construction Professionals
Workers and site managers are advised to:
Verify Travel Status: Use the National Rail Enquiries and TfL Status Updates before departing.
Safety First: High winds (gusts of up to 99mph recorded elsewhere) necessitate immediate checks on scaffolding, crane stability and loose site debris.
Site Protection: Proactively insulate pipework and clear snow from access routes to prevent slip-and-trip hazards and frozen equipment damage.
For those on-site today, stay alert to the Met Office’s shifting yellow and amber warnings as the storm continues to evolve.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
