Weather: Heavy rain, high winds and melting snow disrupt travel
Communities across Scotland continue to battle the worst of the wintry weather.
Widespread disruption to travel continues across Scotland as melting snow turns to floodwater and heavy rain brings key roads to a standstill.
Yellow weather warnings remain in place for most of the country until Monday morning, with high winds and rain creating hazardous conditions for motorists. Some train routes have also been disrupted, with a number of ferries cancelled.
Roads affected are the A92 northbound at Portlethen, A77 northbound at Sandyford-Dutch House, A90 Toll of Birness in both directions, A737 eastbound at Lochwinnoch-Howwood, A82 northbound at Dumbuck Quarry and A78 Fairlie in both directions.
The Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll has been closed to traffic, with motorists being diverted onto the Old Miltary Road to continue their journeys. Around 60mm of rainfall is expected in 24 hours creating the risk of landslip onto the key A83 route.
A decision will be made about re-opening the Rest and Be Thankful on Monday at 12 noon following a hillside inspection and further forecast monitoring.
Euan Scott, Bear Scotland’s north west representative, said: “The safety of road users is the priority for Bear Scotland and we closely monitor conditions at the Rest and Be Thankful on a daily basis.
“Heavy rainfall is expected throughout Sunday, which will increase saturation levels on the hillside. We have therefore made the decision to utilise the Old Military Road as a proactive safety measure.
“The use of this route maintains access to the A83 corridor for the travelling public, keeping Argyll very much open for business with minimal delays of around 20 minutes.
“Subject to the weather improving, we plan to inspect the hillside thoroughly on Monday January 12 and this will inform a decision to return traffic to the A83.”
There have also been several ferry cancellations including in Oban, Troon, Mallaig, Ullapool and Largs.
ScotRail has also noted disruption due to flooding on the line near Barrhill meaning services between Ayr and Stranraer are disrupted.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has a flood warning in place for the Churchill Barriers causeway area, Orkney, which connects the main island to the island of South Ronaldsay through Burray and the islands of Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm.
A second warning is also in place in Newton Stewart , Dumfries and Galloway, as heavy rain pushes up water levels on the River Cree, which runs through the town. Residents living in low-lying areas close to the river have been urged to protect their properties.
A total of 12 less severe flood alerts are in place throughout the rest of Scotland, from Caithness to Skye, Aberdeenshire, Tayside and Central.
All schools in Highland area are due to open on Monday, but several schools in Aberdeenshire - which have not opened since the Christmas holidays - will remain closed.
David Morgan, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, said: "Continuing heavy rain, combined with melting snow, increases the risk of flooding. Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway, and the west and north of Scotland. Possible impacts could include flooding affecting parts of communities, low lying land, transport infrastructure and individual properties. Driving conditions will be very difficult at times.”
A meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room was chaired by Ministers on Sunday for the seventh consecutive day, as agencies continue to co-ordinate their efforts to respond to challenging weather conditions and restore normal services in the coming days.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "As wintry conditions ease across the country, we are urging the public to remain vigilant. Rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, bring a significant risk of flooding in several areas. This could affect properties and transport routes, with difficult driving conditions expected in many parts of the country at the start of the working week.
"Ministers have now met in the Scottish Government Resilience Room for seven consecutive days, bringing together partners including SEPA, the Met Office, Police Scotland and local responders to ensure our response is coordinated. Agencies are working around the clock to support communities as the conditions change.”
The north and north-east of Scotland have already seen several days of snowfall, ice and sub-zero temperatures which have led to school closures and travel disruption.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.