Lorries topple and train lines close as wind and rain cause disruption

  • Published
A1 crash at HaddingtonImage source, Police Scotland
Image caption,
An HGV crashed onto a police car on the A1 near Haddington

Heavy rain and strong winds have been battering Scotland, causing disruption on the roads, railways and ferries.

Met Office weather warnings for wind and rain are in place across much of Scotland and the north of England.

Two sections of the A1 in East Lothian were closed after lorries were blown over, while ferries have been cancelled in other parts of the country.

Kylerhea, a village on Skye, has been cut off by a mud slide which has left debris across the road.

Train services across the Central Belt and Highlands have been disrupted by rail line and platform closures.

Tourist attractions in Edinburgh, including the castle and Christmas market, have been closed due to the severe weather.

Image caption,
The road and train line were closed at Saltcoats because of waves crashing over the sea wall.

The disruption to rail services affected many routes across the country.

Platform one at Haymarket has been closed while possible damage was investigated, and flooding at Blairhill has caused delays and cancellations on many services.

On the roads, police advised drivers to avoid the A1 in East Lothian

Two HGVs were blown over, with one landing on a police car, at about 10:30 between the Abbots View roundabout, Haddington and the Thistly Cross Roundabout, Dunbar.

Police Scotland said that section of the road would be closed until at least 22:00 because it was not safe to recover the vehicles until winds subsided.

Image source, Road policing scotland
Image caption,
Two HGVs toppled on the A1 between Innerwick and Skateraw in East Lothian

Earlier, two other HGV toppled over on the A1 between Skateraw and Innerwick at about 07:45.

Police are at the scene and both north and southbound carriageways have been blocked.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said three appliances and a heavy rescue unit attended the incident but all drivers managed to get out of their vehicles.

Diversions are in place via the A68 and A697 through the Scottish Borders.

The road was also closed to HGVs between the services at the Old Craighall A720 junction and Cockburnspath, with diversions in place taking drivers between Edinburgh City Bypass to Berwick Castle.

Organisers of Edinburgh's Christmas market said all rides, Santa's grotto and the market would not operate until Wednesday.

Image caption,
Edinburgh Castle was among the attractions closed due to severe weather
Image caption,
Strong winds blew in the window of the Vodaphone shop on Princes Street in Edinburgh
Image source, Laurence Cook
Image caption,
One of the Queen's trees in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh landed on flats and cars in Queen's Park Avenue

Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo were closed because of high winds.

One of the Queen's trees on the edge of Holyrood Park fell in the wind and landed on flats and cars in Queen's Park Avenue.

Aberdeen's Christmas village stayed open, although organisers said the Blizzard ride on Upperkirkgate was closed for the day.

Kylerhea, a village on Skye, has been cut off by a mud slide. Council staff are working to clear debris from more than 100m (328ft) of road.

The "bottom" road on neighbouring island Raasay was also blocked after a 30m (98ft) section of parapet wall collapsed.

In Fife, a double decker bus was pictured hanging off a grass verge between Kingseat and Cowdenbeath. Local residents said the vehicle had been blown off the road.

Image source, FIFE JAMMERS
Image caption,
A bus came off the road near Cowdenbeath

Drivers were affected by delays following crashes elsewhere, including one on the M80 near Haggs outside, Falkirk, and another on the M80 near Robroyston, Glasgow.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 29 flood warnings across Scotland.

In Dumfries, Whitesands has been closed from its junction with Buccleuch Street, Nith Place and Dockhead.

Earlier, police warned drivers to remove their vehicles from Whitesands, Greensands and Dock Park car parks because of flooding from the River Nith. They have now told people to avoid the area.

Elsewhere:

  • Police in Nithsdale, Dumfries and Galloway, told motorists to expect standing water on the roads and to leave larger gaps between vehicles
  • The Tay Road Bridge was only open to cars, with a speed limit of 30mph
  • Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne warned of disruption to many of its west coast routes
  • NorthLink Ferries also cancelled a number of services between Aberdeen and Lerwick and between Scrabster and Stromness - many were rescheduled for Thursday
  • Fallen trees blocked roads in Gourock, Inverclyde, and at Ardgarten, Argyll and Bute
  • In the Highlands, Gairloch's primary and high schools were closed due to the bad weather
  • Police in the Western Isles warned of high winds affecting travel on the A866 Braighe road causeway in Isle of Lewis
Image source, BBC/weather watchers
Image caption,
Waves splash over public walkway at Helensburgh

Floods and power loss 'possible'

The Met Office confirmed the storm would not be named because conditions did not have enough certainty or strength to warrant it.

A yellow warning for ice has been issued by the Met Office affecting the north of Scotland between 22:00 on Tuesday and 10:00 on Wednesday.

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