Travellers across the United Kingdom are facing severe disruptions and potential hazards as Storm Gerrit sweeps across the nation, leading to a major incident declaration in Scotland. The storm, which has been gathering strength, is causing extensive damage and wreaking havoc on transport networks.
Major Incident Declared on Key Scottish Road
In the Scottish Highlands, a major incident has been declared on the A9, a vital transportation route, by Police Scotland. Drivers have reported being stranded for hours in heavy traffic amid thick snowfall. This declaration underscores the dangerous conditions faced by those on the road.
No Trains Running on Some Scottish Routes
Scotland’s rail network is grappling with “major disruption,” with some routes experiencing complete shutdown. ScotRail has suspended services on several routes, including the West Highland Line, Kilwinning – Ardrossan/Largs, Dumfries – Kilmarnock, and Ladybank – Dundee. All services north of Dundee and north of Perth have been suspended. Passengers are advised to consider postponing their journeys until tomorrow, with valid tickets honoured, and refunds available for unused tickets.
Scottish Football Matches Postponed
The adverse weather conditions have also impacted sporting events in Scotland. Aberdeen’s home match against Motherwell has been postponed, as well as the Scottish Premiership fixture between Rangers FC and Ross County. The inability of Ross County to travel to Ibrox due to weather-related road closures has led to the postponement, despite the pitch being deemed “ready to host the match” by Rangers FC.
More Flood Alerts and Warnings Issued in Scotland
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued additional flood alerts and warnings as Storm Gerrit continues to unleash its fury. Currently, there are 17 regional flood alerts and 15 local flood warnings in effect. New flood alerts have been issued for Edinburgh and Lothians, while flood warnings are active in Aberfoyle, Langholm, Newton Stewart, Haddington (Green), Romannobridge to Lyne Station, Hawick to Monteviot, Hawick (Teviot), Camptown to Jedburgh, and Bridge of Ruthven to Leitfie.
Power Restored to Some Homes
In the wake of power cuts resulting from the storm, progress has been made in restoring electricity to affected households. Areas including Eckington (S21), Tavistock (PL19 and PL30), Bristol (BS4), and Penzance (TR19) have seen their electricity supplies reinstated. Efforts are ongoing to restore power to the remaining affected areas.
Train Passengers Urged Not to Travel North of Preston
Avanti West Coast has issued a stern warning to rail passengers, advising them against attempting to travel north of Preston today. Flooding between Lockerbie and Carlisle has led to the complete blockage of all rail lines connecting these stations. Passengers holding pre-booked tickets for travel between Preston and either Edinburgh or Glasgow are encouraged to board trains tomorrow or Friday.
As Storm Gerrit continues to batter the UK, residents and travellers are urged to exercise caution, stay updated with official warnings, and consider delaying their journeys where possible. Hazardous weather conditions, transport disruptions, and power outages are expected to persist throughout the day.
