Travel and power problems to continue across Scotland
BBC Scotland News
Travel services across Scotland remain disrupted, with trains and ferries hanging as Scotland recovers from Storm Éowyn.
Around 35,000 customers remained without power on Saturday evening and Police Scotland said they had responded to nearly 1,900 weather-related incidents across the country.
First Minister John Swinney said the clean-up would “take some time” and appealed for the public’s “patience” while the works were carried out.
One person was seriously injured in a vehicle collision in Mohling, East Ayrshire, on Friday, while another was injured when a fallen tree crashed into a van in Glasgow.
Some without power may have to wait several days to recover.
The Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) said it had restored power to around 75,300 customers by Saturday evening, with Scottish Power restored to around 192,000.
Force Scotland said repairs remained problematic in some areas due to high winds, snow, ice and debris.
The company said nearly 200,000 properties were affected since the storm began and it fielded more than 52,000 calls in one day, about a month’s worth of calls.
Network Rail Scotland said services had been restored on some lines after tracks were cleared, but the “vast majority” of lines remained closed.
Inspections are being carried out at tracks and stations across the country, including with the help of helicopters.
Network Rail Scotland said it had discovered 400 incidents of damage to ScotRail since the storm passed, including more than 120 trees and other debris found on tracks and clearing lines.
National rail operator Scotrail said there was “extensive damage” to the elevated line in some areas and they said repairs were needed before trains could be safely restored.
This includes four areas where the elevated line south of Carstairs on the West Coast Main Line was damaged, with engineers assessing the damage.
Scotland managing director Joanne Maguire warned disruptions would continue “throughout the weekend at least” and advised travelers to check the Scotrail website or app before making travel plans.
Most boot roads closed due to the storm have reopened, although Transport Scotland warned that local roads may still be flooded or closed.
Bus services are also disrupted and travelers are advised to contact operators before traveling.
Ferry operators announced continued disruptions over the weekend.
Serac said storm damage was caused to all services on its Kennacraig, Askaig Port and Ellen Port Route, as well as Oban, Colonsay, Askaig Port and Kennacraig routes.
All sailings between Gourock and Dunoon are canceled on Saturday and Sunday with replacement shuttles in place.
At the same time, many other CALSAC services face disruption or possible disruption and replacement timetables have been published for a number of routes, with further information available on the Calmac website.
two yellow weather warning Stay in Scotland:
- From 18:00 on Saturday to 10:00 on Sunday, there is an ice and snow warning for most of the continent.
- Wind warning for the northwest coast and Western Isles from 18:00 on Saturday until 10:00 on Sunday.
talking about BBC Good Morning Scotland The plan is for Britain’s Weather Service senior meteorologist Jim Dale to call it one of the most significant storms of his 40-year career.
He said: “People will recognize this by the damage caused. One thing that is grateful and I will try to stay positive about the storm is that sadly there was only one death in the Republic of Ireland.”
“But you can imagine if there had been no warnings, if people hadn’t heard those warnings – red and amber – then the casualty list would have been much further.
“The storm was well predicted, so it wasn’t like it was coming out of the blue like some storms, so I think people handled it pretty well,” he said.
A gust of 100.7mph was officially recorded at Drumalbin in South Lanarkshire on Friday afternoon, while another gust of 102mph was recorded at Tay Road Bridge.
In an article on X, John Swinney asked for “patience” while work to restore storm-affected services proceeds.
“Work is underway to restore power and transport networks following the significant impacts of Storm Éowyn,” he said.
“This will take some time to complete and I appeal to the public for their patience.
“Utility employees and our public servants are working hard to restore service.”