Flooding has caused widespread travel disruption across Scotland with warnings over strong winds and ice heading into Hogmanay on Saturday, as the impact from the US “bomb cyclone” continues.
Train services across western, eastern and central parts of the country were severely disrupted throughout Friday due to flooding on key routes between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Fife and Inverclyde and on the North Clyde line from Helensburgh. The weather also led to sections of the M9 and the M74 motorways being closed.
Network Rail said there had been significant flooding at Edinburgh Park, with water “overwhelming” pumps at Winchburgh.
Meanwhile, the Met Office issued a wind warning for Grampian, Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland from 6pm on Friday until 3am on Saturday.
An alert for ice runs from 9pm on Friday until 11am on Saturday covering Grampian, Central, Tayside, Fife, Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney and Shetland.
A yellow warning for rain is also in place for southern Wales and the south-west of England on New Year’s Eve.
Forecasters said the bomb cyclone, which culminated in temperatures plunging in the US over Christmas and led to at least 60 deaths, is causing the unsettled weather in the UK.
Train operator ScotRail shared an image of Branchton station on Friday showing water spilling over the platform.
In Glasgow, parts of Pollok Park were submerged after the White Cart Water burst its banks.
The River Nith in Dumfries also burst its banks and 10 flood alerts and 34 warnings were issued across Scotland by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa).
Flights from Edinburgh Airport were delayed on Friday evening after the River Almond at Gogarburn burst its banks and water encroached on the runway.
Vincent Fitzsimons, flood duty manager at Sepa, said: “Many people are likely to be travelling ahead of Hogmanay and are advised to plan ahead for their journeys.
“All those in affected areas should consider steps they need to take to be prepared and stay safe.
“Anyone out walking should also be extra cautious, even around small watercourses. More advice and updates are available on floodline.sepa.org.uk.”
Police Scotland Supt John Cairns said the local resilience partnership was monitoring incidents of flooding and concerns over properties.
He also advised that people should not travel unless absolutely necessary.
“The multi-agency response will be focused on additional flooding from watercourses and rivers making their way to areas such as Whitesands, Newton Stewart and Langholm.
“We are aware of concerns in towns and villages across the region. No properties have been flooded but mitigation measures have been taken.”
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