An amber weather alert for rain and floods has caused the suspension of train services in parts of Scotland. The warning, issued by the Met Office, estimates that areas of the Highlands and central Scotland could be inundated with up to 180mm (7in) of rainfall. Cross-border train operators are advising passengers not to risk travelling to Scotland on Saturday, as flooding and fast-flowing rivers and streams risk people’s safety and cause property damage. The yellow “be aware” warning for heavy rain extends across most of mainland Scotland, Skye and the Inner Hebrides.
Services from Oban, Mallaig, Fort William, and the Highland Mainline route from Perth to Inverness have been cancelled by ScotRail, which also confirmed speed limits will affect most routes. Additionally, Avanti West Coast and TransPennine have warned customers against travelling on cross-border trains and services from Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston to Carlisle, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has given 14 flood alerts.
It is recommended that travel be avoided unless it is essential. The amber warning is in place from 3:00 to 6:00 on Sunday. Affected routes are expected to be operational by Sunday morning. Scotland’s resilience minister, Angela Constance, warned the potential impact of the amber warning was “severe,” and urged people to pay attention to travel advice and plan ahead. ScotRail’s service delivery director, David Simpson, stated that the impact on train services was regrettable but necessary to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
Ruth Ellis, Sepa’s flood duty manager, described the event as a major rainfall event and that extensive surface water flooding, property flooding, and widespread transport disruption were likely. Police Scotland head of road policing, Ch Supt Hilary Sloan, advised Scottish drivers planning to travel to take extra care due to stopping distances that are at least double those in dry conditions and the potential for reduced visibility due to road spray
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