Heavy flooding hits central Scotland as downpours continue

Flood warnings: Flooding has occured around the country

Firefighters have been called out to deal with a series of flooding incidents in Ayrshire as torrential downpours hit the central belt.

The A77 was closed at the Bellfield junction, near Kilmarnock, as a result of heavy flooding. Police were diverting traffic away from the junction and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue sent three appliances and a boat to the scene.

Earlier, the A77 was closed in both directions at the A7023 near Maybole as a result of a collapsed sewer. A similar problem shut the A76 at Mauchline.

The village of Sorn was one of the worst hit, with the fire service called out to pump out flooded properties.

On the isle of Mull, a road was blocked and and part of a bridge washed away by a landslide.

Drivers heading home during Thursday's rush-hour were urged to take extra caution on the roads as thunderstorms threatened to cause rush-hour chaos.

The Met Office has raised its weather threat level to 'amber' and Transport Minister Keith Brown has warned of "a testing journey home" for motorists in affected areas.

Forecasters are warning of heavy downpours across the west, south and north of Scotland, including Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway, Inverness and the Highlands.

Mr Brown said: "A number of yellow warnings were already in place but these have now been updated to ‘amber’ for the Central belt, Tayside and Fife, south west Scotland, Lothian and Borders and Strathclyde.

"Traffic Scotland are alerting the travelling public in the affected areas and those who will be heading into the affected areas via its usual channels - website, VMS signs, internet radio and social networks.

"It promises to be a testing journey home this evening for many motorists and those using the public transport network with thundery downpours creating some hazardous conditions. I would urge them to be extra cautious when travelling in heavy downpours and allow extra time for braking distances."

STV weatherman Sean Batty added: "Very heavy thundery downpours are expected on Thursday afternoon. Worse affected areas is Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Invernessshire and the north west Highlands.

"Today will see some of the heaviest bursts in Kilmarnock, Ayr, Paisley, parts of Glasgow. Inverness and areas around the Monadhliath Mountains."

He also warned motorists to take care while driving home in the evening. He said: "Flooding will cause a lot of surface spray on the roads, perhaps around the evening rush-hour in some areas. This will cause traffic problems and reduce visibility on roads and motorways.

"Some streets could become subceptible to flooding, particularly where there are draining problems."

On Wednesday evening downpours left problems for commuters when roads were closed due to flooding and train services were cancelled.

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