Roads closed, trains axed and drivers facing chaos as heavy rain …
SCOTLAND has been hit with flash floods with parts of the country in lockdown over landslips with trunk roads closed and public transport axed.
Scots have been asked to consider if their journeys are "really necessary" after a total of 21 flood warnings and a further 15 flood alerts have been issued as extreme weather grips[1] in the nation.
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An amber weather warning in currently in place
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Grounds Staff drain water from the course at Old Course, St AndrewsCredit: Getty
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The A78 is closed southbound at the Bankfoot roundabout in InverclydeCredit: Traffic ScotlandThe Met Office[2] issued rare amber warning[3] – the second highest possible – for torrential rain with over seven inches (180mm) predicted to fall by the end of today.
It came into force at 3am on Saturday and continues until 6am on Sunday.
A yellow warning for rain remains in place for large parts of central and northern Scotland throughout Saturday until early on Sunday morning.
And roads have been left submerged, sparking chaos on the transport network, as the deluge continues.
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Head of Scotland’s road police[4] chief superintendent Hilary Sloan said: “Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary or if it can be delayed until conditions improve.”
The A8 in Greenock has been closed in both directions due to flooding.
Footage shows major roads in Greenock closed to vehicles with water gushing from cracked tarmac and railway arches flooded.
The A78 at Bankfoot roundabout are flooded and closed in both directions as a result.
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Traffic[5] Scotland have confirmed major trunk roads in Argyll and Bute are now closed.
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Landslips have closed the road at A83 near DalmallyCredit: FACEBOOK
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The A85 at Dalmelly and between Lochawe and Taynuilt is closed in both directions due to a landslip and flooding.Credit: FACEBOOKThe A85 at Dalmelly and between Lochawe and Taynuilt is closed in both directions due to a landslip and flooding.
The A83 between Arrochar, Tarbet and Inverary is closed due to multiple landslips.
The A816 road has been closed between Lochgilphead and Oban closing off the communities with no diversion in place.
Localised flooding has also closed roads around Balloch.
In Renfrewshire, residents report flooding in Johnstone around Lidl on High Street, with the roundabout at the Millarston Aldi also closed.
In Ayrshire[6], locals have reported flooding on the A737 between Kilwinning and Dalry.
New Street in Irvine is flooded under the railway bridge in both direction.
ScotRail[7] bosses warned there would be disruption on their network following flooding on the railway at Branchton.
The rail operators said they have now suspended services between Glasgow Central and Wemyss Bay.
They added: "The floodwater has now risen above the rails at Branchton."
There are also no trains[8] or replacement buses at all on these lines:
Mallaig/Ft William/Oban - Glasgow[9]
Helensburgh Ctl/Balloch - Dalmuir
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Network Rail shared the flooded railway track at Bowling train stationCredit: Network RailNetwork Rail shared a picture of floodwater at Bowling station on the Helensburgh/Balloch line.
They said: "We took the proactive decision to close the line, given the extreme rainfall we’re seeing in this area today."
Elsewhere, Glasgow Queens Park ParkRun also chose to cancel this morning's 5k in the city's southside due to the extreme conditions.
They said: "It is with great regret that after a course check and also flooding in access roads to the park we unfortunately have taken the decision to cancel this mornings event.
"We hope you will understand that we must prioritise first and foremost everyone’s safety."
In St Andrews, the Dunhill fireworks display has been cancelled due to the weather.
The display over the West Sands golf course is traditionally held on the eve of the championship’s final day.
Groundsmen were seen this morning attempting to pump water from the Old Course green so play could resume.
An announcement on X said: “The annual fireworks display at St Andrews, scheduled for Saturday 7th October, has regrettably been cancelled due to expected adverse weather.”
On Saturday morning, Vincent Fitzsimmons, of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), said the impact of the rain was already beginning to be felt.
He told the BBC[11]'s Good Morning Scotland programme: "We are expecting widespread flooding through today, Saturday and into Sunday morning."
He added: "It's very heavy rain, but it will be relentless for a particularly long period of time.
"This is not just a normal wet autumn day. We are concerned about the possibility of significant flooding.
"There is that amber area, it goes from the western half of the central belt through up into the Highlands.
"There are communities there where we have quite significant concerns."
He advised people in areas such as Aberfoyle and Aviemore to check for updates and advice on Sepa's website.
The Scottish Government[12]'s resilience room officials met on Friday to discuss the weather[13] event.
Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said: "It's important people plan their journeys before they set off.
"Motorists should make sure their routes are available, follow the travel[14] advice from Police Scotland[15] and drive in accordance with the conditions.
"If you are planning to travel by train, ferry or plane, please check with your operators to see if the conditions are having any impact on your services."
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References
- ^ extreme weather grips (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ rare amber warning (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ police (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Traffic (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Ayrshire (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ ScotRail (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ trains (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Inverness (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ BBC (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Government (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ weather (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ travel (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ Police Scotland (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
- ^ [email protected] (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)