Storm Gerrit: Scotland travel latest as roads and trains remain affected

Engineers were working to restore power to around approximately 2900 properties remain without power[1] as of 5pm on Thursday, though Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution warned some could be without a supply into Friday.

SSEN said its workers have faced wind speeds of 80mph in some coastal areas as they worked to reconnect customers.

Road updates

The weather conditions also disrupted travel, with some drivers trapped for hours on the A9[3] which was closed at Drumotcher in the Highlands due to snow.

The A9 has since reopened, including a section further north at Scrabster which had been blocked by fallen trees.

The A82 between Spean bridge and Invergarry has also reopened, but the road between Invergarry and Invermoriston remains closed.

The A96 at Huntly, Aberdeenshire, is also closed.

Rail routes

Teams have been inspecting routes across Scotland and re-opening sections of the track where it is safe to do so, including the West Highland line and the Aberdeen - Inverness line.

Passengers are still being advised to check their journeys before travelling with disruption expected to continue on several lines throughout the country until at least tomorrow (Friday 29 December), including:

  • Inverness - Wick/Thurso
  • Dundee – Cupar
  • Glasgow - Carlisle via Dumfries

Tickets dated December 27 can be used on December 28 or December 29.

Tickets dated December 28 can be used on December 29 or December 30.

The line between Cupar and Dundee remains closed due to a landslip caused by the heavy rain on Wednesday, although services are running between Dundee and Perth.

Engineers are clearing over 100 tons of debris from the line between Dumfries and Kilmarnock due to flooding and a landslip close to Sanquhar.

Water has been discovered flowing quickly on to the track at Kirkton of Kinellar, near Dyce in Aberdeenshire, with teams working to divert the water and remove a significant amount of silt before trains services can resume.

Ferry Cancellations

Ferry operator CalMac has announced a series of cancellations, delays and time changes to a number of its services on Thursday and Friday.

Routes affected include Ardrossan-Brodick, Oban-Lismore Mallaig-Armadale, and Fionnphort-Iona.

Passengers are advised to check for updates on CalMac’s website.[5]

References

  1. ^ approximately 2900 properties remain without power (www.thenational.scot)
  2. ^ All the new 2024 travel rules people need to be aware of (www.thenational.scot)
  3. ^ drivers trapped for hours on the A9 (www.thenational.scot)
  4. ^ Storm Gerrit: Tree falls on ScotRail driver's cab en route to Glasgow  (www.thenational.scot)
  5. ^ updates on CalMac’s website. (www.calmac.co.uk)

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